PCOO blames COA regulations for slow uptake of federalism funds

REPLYING to the demand letter sent by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) regarding the failure of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) to submit progress reports on the P10-million information campaign drive on federalism, PCOO Assistant Secretary Marie Banaag turned the tables on the Commission on Audit (COA), saying it was the COA’s own guidelines that slowed the transfer of funds.

She explained that the COA Report only noted the liquidation of funds as of the end of December 2018, and said that the remaining funds are currently being used by the PCOO’s attached agencies like the Philippine Information Agency, the Philippine Broadcasting Service, and PTV 4.

“In May of this year, PCOO have submitted progress and liquidation reports for expenses and accomplishments in 2018 amounting to P1.5M to the DILG,” she said in a statement on Friday, July 5.

Ms. Banaag explained that there was some delay in the downloading of funds to the attached agencies due to the need for compliance with COA guidelines

“Since we have to comply with COA Guidelines insofar as the transfer of funds from PCOO to our line agencies, we could not legally transfer the funds at that time without the necessary attachments,” she said.

Meanwhile, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan E. Malaya said that they are closely monitoring the PCOO’s projects.

“Since all of these activities are ongoing and will last until the end of the year, the submission of liquidation reports will be after the completion of all activities as per revised Memorandum of Agreement with the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO),” said Mr. Malaya in a statement. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras