Cebu PB to review auditors’ advice

THE Cebu Provincial Board is reviewing recommendations of auditors who questioned the hiring of 45 consultants without public bidding and approval of the legislature.

In the report, the Commission on Audit (COA) said the governor’s office has 23 consultants, the vice governor has one consultant and the Provincial Board has 21 consultants who are paid at least P1 to P26,741 monthly.

Some of the consultants didn’t pass through the Provincial Board.

Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale said she just received a copy for the COA report and is studying it.

“We only give authority if the governor asks for it.. We only put a matter in the agenda if there’s a request for authority,” she told Cebu Daily News.

State auditors said the Capitol hired consultants without undergoing public bidding in accordance with Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Because of this “there is no assurance the consultancy service contracts… were properly evaluated.”

They noted that 12 consultants had no files of their resumés so their capabilities could not be assessed.

Some consultants were found to lack the educational qualification and work experience required for the nature of the services they were contracted for.

For example, a consultant in public affairs and information is a BS Mechanical Engineering graduate and worked as a plant equipment operator control at a Cebu water supplier.

Another consultant in legislative matters is a nurse, who worked as a business consultant in a private company.

However, the Capitol told auditors that it had long entered into consultancy service contracts without complying with R.A. 9184 and that the choice of consultants was a matter of trust and confidence.

COA said the Capitol should follow the provisions of R.A. 9184 to ensure that only those who possess expertise in their field of assignment and whose services are really required, would be hired. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus