1. law, govt and politics
2. government

ECOLINK Philippines
PROJECT COMPLETION REPORT
ON THE
ANTI-CORRUPTION AND TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE
RE: GOVERNMENT VEHICLE MONITORING
IN
OROQUIETA CITY, MINDANAO
PHILIPPINES
September 21, 2007
ABBREVIATIONS
ACT
ABC
ADB
BAC
CEO
CLGOO
CMO
COA
COMELEC
CSO
DepEd
DILG
FOND
GPRA
GSO
JGW
LGU
LTO
NGO
OCCAC
OMB
PMC
PNP
PO
PTF
SP
-
Anti-Corruption and Transparency Project
Association of Barangay Councils
Asian Development Bank
Bids and Awards Committee
City Engineer’s Office- Oroquieta City
City Local Government Operations Office
City Mayor’s Office- Oroquieta City
Commission on Audit
Commission on Elections
Civil Society Organization
Department of Education
Department of the Interior and Local Government
Federation of NGO’s for Development
Government Procurement Reform Act
General Services Office- Oroquieta City
Junior Graft Watch
Local Government Unit
Land Transportation Office
Non-Governmental Organization
Oroquieta City Coalition Against Corruption
Office of the Ombudsman Mindanao
Project Monitoring Committee
Philippine National Police
People’s Organization
Partnership for Transparency Fund
Sangguniang Panlungsod
CURRENCY VALUES AND EQUIVALENTS
Currency Unit:
Philippine Peso (PhP)
US $ Exchange Rate:
At Appraisal:
1 US $
= 50 PhP
At Project Completion:
1 US $ = 43 PhP
CONTENTS
BASIC DATA
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
II. EVALUATION OF PROJECT FRAMEWORK & IMPLEMENTATION
A. Relevance of Project Framework
B. Project Outputs
C. Project Expenditures
D. Project Timetable
III. IMPACTS ASSESSMENT
A. Relevance
B. Efficacy in Achievement of Objectives
1. Increase of Citizens’ Participation
2. Reduction of Expenditures on Gasoline and
Lubricants and Corrupt Practices in Vehicle Use
3. Strengthening LGU’s Compliance to Procurement Laws
C. Efficiency in Achievement of Goal
D. Sustainability
E. Replicability
F. Other Impacts
1. Local Policy and Administrative Reforms
2. Socio- cultural Impacts
3. CSO Empowerment
4. Addressing Other Specific Corruption Issues
IV.OVERALL ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Overall Assessment
B. Problems Encountered
C. Lessons Learned
D. Recommendations
APPENDIXES
1. Government Vehicle Monitoring Intervention Model
2. Project Logical Framework
3. Example of Approved Barangay LGU Ordinance on Vehicle Use
& Maintenance Guidelines
4. Indicative Output Assessment
5. Draft City LGU Ordinance on Vehicle Use and Maintenance
6. Selected Photo Documentations
7. LGU Expenditure Data
8. Case Study: A Councilor’s Ecstasy
9. Final Audit Report
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BASIC DATA
Project Title:
Anti- Corruption and Transparency Project in Oroquieta City, Province of
Misamis Occidental, Philippines (ACT- OROQUIETA)
Estimated Project Period:
December 2006- June 2007
(7 months)
Estimated Total Budget:
Total Cost:
$21,657 (USD)
Local Counterpart:
$5,157 (USD)
Amount Requested:
$16,500 (USD)
(Exchange Rate: $1: Php 50)
-
Php1,082,850
Php 257,850
Php 825,000
Proponent Name and Address:
Environmental Cooperation and Linkages Inc.
Main Office: Purok 1, JP Quijano St, Upper Loboc, Oroquieta City, Misamis
Occidental, Philippines
Website: www.ecolink-asia.org
Email: main@ecolink-asia.og
Date Founded:
June 1995
Date Registered:
May 29, 1996
Type of Registration:
National Securities and Exchange Commission
S.E.C. No. GNO 96-0018
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Anti-Corruption and Transparency Project is an initiative of the
Environmental Cooperation and Linkages Inc. (ECOLINK) undertaken through a
$16,500 grant support from the Partnership for Transparency Fund/ADB/WF. The
Project is implemented in coordination with the Department of the Interior and
Local Government, the City Government of Oroquieta and other concerned
agencies. The project hopes to prevent and/or curb corruption in the local
government through a series of components that will reduce wastages of funds
as a result of corrupt practices relevant to vehicle procurement, use and
maintenance, increase citizens’ participation in such efforts, and strengthen
relevant local mechanisms.
This evaluation report contains the assessment of outputs and impacts of key
project activities as outlined in the Project Implementation Plan covering the
period of December 1, 2006- July 31, 2007. Also included herein are the project’s
lessons, recommendations and constraints within the period as well as the
measures undertaken by ECOLINK to mitigate such constraints. The activities
reported herein are closely integrated with the Project Grant Agreement covering
the whole project implementation period.
The issue of corruption in the procurement, use and maintenance of government
vehicles by certain officials has gone to an extent where millions of pesos worth
of public funds are wasted. For example, the Office of the Ombudsman has
recently announced that it would file charges of corruption to 50 high-ranking
government officials due to illegal use of government vehicles for private
purposes. In addition to, the Office of the Governor of Misamis Oriental has just
recently been reported to have spent at least 12 million pesos of public funds to
illegal vehicle expenditures including diverting gasoline budgets into private uses.
This means that on a nationwide scale, millions and even billions of pesos worth
of public funds in the Local Government Units have been squandered,
unchecked, concealed from public scrutiny.
Republic Act 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform
Act, defines strict rules on procurement of goods. The law requires, among
others: 1) posting and advertising of procurement, 2) easy accessibility of
documents related to procurement transactions, 3) presence of third party
observer in all stages of procurement.
Yet, Local Government Units, including Oroquieta City, have visible gaps in the
implementation of the procurement law. Specifically on the aspect of vehicle
procurement, major requirements like the presence of third party observer in preprocurement, pre-bidding, bid submission/ bid opening, bid qualification and bid
awarding have not been followed. This practice makes the whole procurement
process vulnerable to corruption. The visible indicators of corruption include
overpriced vehicles and dubious bid awards.
Since the enactment of the Local Government Code of the Republic of the
Philippines (Republic Act 7160), local government units are given autonomous
dynamisms in its operations including budgetary allocations and revenue
generations. But simply because there are weak, if not totally absent,
mechanisms in preventing corruption, worsened by the minimal avenue of citizen
participation in curbing corruption, corruption in the local government level can be
as worst as those which are entirely visible on the national level.
As the Anti-Corruption and Transparency initiative goes into full swing, many
specific issues of corruption in the community have been dug out, discussed
publicly and resolved through constructive reforms in existing policies and
institutional structures. By and large, the ECOLINK has been able to achieve the
objectives specified in the project framework.
Citizen participation in anti-corruption activities as well in as issues concerning
the services of the local government and local offices of national line agencies
has extensively increased through the project. Local government expenditures in
gasoline and lubricants have so far significantly reduced and corrupt practices in
vehicle use have been effectively prevented. The presence of both a conscious
and vigilant citizenry and a reform-oriented government effectively combats the
seemingly invincible culture of corruption.
But the challenge ahead is more serious than the initiative itself. The ECOLINK
and its partner institutions including the newly-established anti-corruption network
– the Oroquieta City Coalition Against Corruption- must translate the initial gains
of the project into a much wider and more sustainable scope encompassing a
larger number of government agencies and cities and involving several more civil
society organizations within a very limited list of potential funding resources.
I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The culture of corruption in the Philippines is undeniably rampant and seemingly
incurable. Public funds are being wasted in several ways and basic services and
developmental programs aimed at uplifting the lives of people are being set
aside.
Despite several anti-corruption programs initiated by the government over the
past two decades, bureaucracies from the national to down the local offices
remain resilient against the initiatives against corruption. Thousands of corruption
cases are hardly moving forward in the Office of Ombudsman. In such a
condition, no amount of International Aid can help ease up the country’s
widespread poverty and the never-ending insurgency, most especially in the
island of Mindanao.
The City of Oroquieta is a sub-rural/ sub-urban area in the northern part of
Mindanao. Agricultural production remains the backbone of its economy with
majority of its population depending on individual, traditional farm production for a
living. There are no significant industrial or commercial plants operating in the
locality and nearby municipalities.
The Local Government of Oroquieta City depends mainly on the central
government’s Internal Revenue Allotment for the delivery of services to its
constituents. But it can be observed that despite its having a limited budget,
public funds are also wasted in several ways and dimensions. A particular
aspect of this is on the practices of and expenditures for government vehicle
procurement, use and maintenance. Budgetary allocations intended for
community-level socio-economic development are squandered instead for the
purchase of gasoline, overpriced vehicle costs and vehicle misuse. The existing
local mechanisms on curbing internal corruption are weak, if not totally absent.
Also, citizens of the city do not have the available medium to express criticism on
corruption. If such abuses continue unchecked, millions of pesos from people’s
taxes will be totally pocketed by a few greedy officials and personnel.
This project hopes to prevent/ curb corruption in the local government level
through a series of components that will increase citizen participation on the
issue, strengthen local mechanisms, and reduce funds
The ECOLINK has adopted the following Key Project Implementation Strategies
to achieve the identified goal and objectives:
1. Measure the extent of funds wasted/ corrupted on vehicle procurement,
use and maintenance by the Local Government of Oroquieta.
2. Develop a culture of vigilance in the locality against corrupt practices of
government offices including the misuse of government vehicles.
3. Design and implement creative activities that will foster the active
participation of the youth, media and local artists in the campaign against
squander of public funds.
4. Develop and utilize the Filipinos’ obsession to “texting” (SMS) services of
cellular phone technology.
5. Develop and utilize Local AM Radio as a major communication channel to
the rural villages in the active campaign against misuse of government
vehicles and corruption, per se.
6. Develop cooperation among CSO’s, NGO’s, people’s organizations and
private institutions in the anti-corruption campaign.
7. Design and implement interventions and activities that will generate
positive responses to the local initiatives against corruption.
8. Utilize the inner expertise of the ECOLINK personnel for voluntary
services in the project.
9. Regularly supervise and monitor the different programs and evaluate the
progress of every activity in order to assure success of the project.
The Components of this project are as follows:
1. Capability-building
1.1. Expenditures Analysis Workshops
1.2. B.A.C. GPRA Compliance Training
1.3. Conference on Corruption in the LGU
1.4. MOA Signing/ Project Launching
2. Information and Education Campaign(IEC)/ Advocacy
2.1. Photojournalism Contest
2.2. Newsletter Publication
2.3. Local Radio Program
2.4. Short-play Competition
2.5. Posters
3. Policy Formulation and Reforms
3.1. Citizen’s Feedback mechanism
3.2. Policy Reforms
4. Administration, Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation
II. EVALUATION OF PROJECT FRAMEWORK & IMPLEMENTATION
A. Relevance of Project Framework
The project design, which comprises four interrelated components: (1) advocacy/
awareness; (2) capability-building to strengthen institutions; (3) policy reform
advocacy; and, (4) monitoring and evaluation- is noticeably sound and
appropriately formulated. It addresses specific areas of corruption in the
Philippine government particularly on the use, procurement and maintenance of
vehicles in local government units.
Consistent with the project criteria of the Partnership for Transparency Fund, the
ECOLINK project has directly contributed to the reduction and prevention of
corruption. In addition to, the project framework is unique as such that it utilizes
simple and participatory processes in identifying and preventing corrupt practices
in local government units and its intervention model can be replicated in any
community-based anti-corruption initiatives anywhere in the world. Furthermore,
it shows that sincerity and credibility of the institution and the key personalities
within are equally important factors for the success of any initiative. Lastly, the
project has empowered not only ECOLINK but the whole civil society of
Oroquieta City in their involvement in the affairs of the local government
especially in ensuring compliance to procurement laws, project monitoring and
policy reforms.
B. Project Outputs
The evaluative assessment of project implementation is based on targeted
outputs of identified activities at project development stage, mid-term
assessment, and final periodic report. The logical framework of the project is
used as the primary basis of analysis (See Appendix 2).
1. Capability –building
1.1. Expenditure Analysis Workshop
The project has been able to attain the purpose of this activity thereby getting the
reasonable proof of the extent of corruption in gasoline and lubricant expenses.
1.2. Bids and Awards Committee (B.A.C.) GPRA Compliance Training
Through this component, the city will take a step further in promoting GPRA
compliance. As of July 2007, the ECOLINK and members of the local
transparency network have been sitting as regular observers in Bids and Awards
Committees (BAC) of the City Government of Oroquieta, Department of
Education- Oroquieta Division, Department of Education- Misamis Occidental
Division, and the Department of Agrarian Reform. Also, BAC’s in the 47
Barangays of Oroquieta City have been activated with compulsory presence of
CSO Representative.
1.3. Conference on Corruption in the LGU
The combined outputs of all major components like the LGU Expenditures
Analysis, Actual Vehicle Misuse Documentation and GPRA Compliance
Assessment is a “bombshell” that will trigger the heated public participation on
the issue of corruption. People’s organization, NGO’s, government offices and
all other sectors will gather to come up with a unified voice. This component has
been fully realized. The activity has been called Exit Conference and Network
launching.
The Exit Conference was held on July 4, 2007 at the Misamis Occidental
Aquamarine Park and Resort in Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental. Ms. Rory
Tolentino of the Asia Pacific Philanthropy Consortium (and a member of the PTF
Board) was present during the activity. She gave a Keynote message. At least
78 representatives from NGO’s and PO’s and 24 guests were present during the
Conference. The Department of the Interior and Local Government represented
by its Provincial Director Teodoro M. Paller provided an Input entitled “Corruption
in the LGU’s: Present Thrusts and Future Perspectives of the DILG. The input is
quite important as it tries to establish a concrete connection between the
mandates of the DILG and the ACT Project’s goal.
Paul Pastrano Gangoso, ECOLINK Executive Director, presented a summary of
the project which highlights some of the most important achievement and
impacts of the project. Also, Dr. Gemma Losbaños of the Department of
Education gave a very educational input: Teaching Young Citizens against the
Culture of Corruption. The church and business sectors also gave their
respective views on the impacts of the Act project as well as their commitment to
end corruption in the public office. The Special Program for the Arts gave a
number of cultural presentations in between inputs during the conference. The
City Mayor through his Executive Assistant Mr. Carlito Decina gave a message of
thanks and support to the ECOLINK for the latter’s programs including the ACT
project.
More importantly, the Ombudsman Mindanao himself, Mr. Humphrey Monteroso,
was present during the conference. He gave a detailed insight on the importance
of citizen-based anti-corruption efforts and promised to carry out precedent cases
for those who have violated corruption laws as documented by the ACT Project.
His presence provided the NGO’s and PO’s present during the conference a view
of the seriousness of the Office of the Ombudsman in realizing the latter’s
mandates.
1.4. MOA Signing/ Project Launching
The MOU Signing/ Project Launching Ceremony was held on December 15,
2006 at the Bahay Kamayan Restaurant, Oroquieta City Proper. The City Mayor
of Oroquieta failed to participate in the Launching Ceremony due to conflicting
engagements. The Vice Mayor, however, had been able to attend representing in
behalf of the whole Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council). This development
had prompted last minute adjustments to the original activity outputs.
2. Information and Education Campaign/ Advocacy
2.1. & 2.4 Photojournalism Contest and Short Play Competition (Plus
Poster-making Contest)
On March 26, 2007, the ECOLINK with the full cooperation of the Department of
Education held the inter-school short-play and photojournalism contest. The
Special Program for the Arts Guild (SPA) showed –off their skills with a number
of cultural presentations. These come in the form of interpretative and
contemporary dances. The City Mayor had extended his support to the project.
Although beyond the target activity of the project, the Department of Education
had initiated a poster-making contest on the same day of the short-play
competition. The contest had been able to attract 23 artists from the high school
and 11 future cartoonists/artists from the elementary. According to Department
of Education attendance, at least 590 people (students, teachers, city hall
employees) witnessed the whole –day event. And due to its success, the
Department of Education had decided to include the short-play and
photojournalism contest in their annual calendar of activities.
2.2. Newsletter Publication
Four issues of “Corruption Watch” newsletter have been published with at least
100 copies per release. Since the time ECOLINK has created its website, the
newsletter has recorded almost a thousand downloads on-line. Even as the
project ends, the newsletter shall continue publication.
2.3. Local Radio Program “Bantay Kurapsyon”
Since it first aired over the radio, the “Bantay Kurapsyon” has since then become
the people’s favorite, and the most respected and credible public affairs radio
program in the province. With the support of the Partnership for Transparency
Fund (PTF), ECOLINK is proud of the program’s unexpected impacts to the daily
lives of the people and the affairs of the local government of Oroquieta.
Although focusing on the misuse of red-plated vehicles, expenditures on gasoline
and procurement processes of the local government, the “Bantay Kurapsyon”
also accommodates issues and concerns that affect the people most, especially
those involving negligence of government agencies and personnel.
For instance, the employees of the “Bunotex” Coconut Processing Plant in
Barangay Upper Loboc, Oroquieta City complained that more than 200 of them
have not been able to receive their respective salaries since November of 2006.
Through the “Bantay Kurapsyon”, the labor sector and the management have
come to terms of the problem.
Another issue addressed by the “Bantay Kurapsyon” was the use of government
vehicle by the Brgy Captain of Malindang for transporting corn produce from the
community to the market and the alleged collection of “passenger fees” to those
who would ride along. The people of Malindang thanked the program so did the
Brgy. Captain for being given a chance to explain her side on the program.
Another complaint acted upon by “Bantay Kurapsyon” was the alleged collection
of money from ukay-ukay (2nd hand goods) by certain police officers. The
broadcasters raised the issue to the PNP Council of Elders and the City Police
acted on the issue. Although the officers involved were not sanctioned, the
collection of money nonetheless had stopped.
The “Bantay Kurapsyon” Radio Program shall continue to heat the waves even if
the ACT project ends by July. Also, the said radio program continues to enjoy a
very high listener’s rating and the numbers of responses in the form of text
messages continue to soar even higher and higher every passing week. Within
the period of June and July, three major issues are tackled in the program. These
are:
• Complaints of students, parents and teachers against a school principal
allegedly inflicting psychological and physical harm to students.
• Complaints against the rice distributed by the National Food Authority
containing harmful wastes of insects and agri-animals and quota to stores.
•
Complaint against the failure of the Water District to finish road
improvements caused by water pipeline repairs.
The following are the results:
• The Department of Education has already ordered a temporary relief of
the principal after conducting an investigation triggered by the radio
program. The “Bantay Kurapsyon” and the newly-established Oroquieta
City Citizens Coalition Against Corruption facilitated the complainants to
raise their complaints to the proper authorities. A new principal shall be
delegated.
•
The NFA reviewed all rice distribution and cut-off maximum acquisition
quota to stores.
•
The roads were immediately repaired.
2.5. Posters
A “Conscience Poster”, designed to increase awareness among the people as
well as develop ethical consciousness among those who have been using
government vehicles improperly, was printed and distributed in 300 copies.
3. Policy Formulation and Reforms
3.1. Citizen’s Feedback mechanism
The Bids and Awards Committee has already considered the presence of third
party observer in all bidding processes. ECOLINK is proud that a member of the
Citizens Coalition against Corruption sits in the BAC. Also the Project Monitoring
Committee, a mandatory special body, has been activated and ECOLINK
actually sits in the key position. The Project Monitoring Committee is the body
that is empowered to monitor the implementation of all local government projects
and formulated recommendations from time to time.
3.2. Policy Reforms
Specific measures have been adopted by the LGU to prevent widespread corrupt
practices like gasoline diversions/ theft, vehicle misuse, among others. The
Sangguniang Panlungsod is now finalizing a Committee Recommendation on the
Proposed “Ordinance Setting the Guidelines in the Use, Procurement and
Management of LGU Vehicles”. Barangay LGU’s are now adopting a specially
drafted ordinance for their vehicles. The City Mayor has already issued an
Executive Order organizing the Project Monitoring Committee including
ECOLINK’s Executive Director. Also, Bids and Awards Committees of DepEd, 47
Barangays and the Department of Agriculture have already considered
representation from the CSO. Local government vehicles have already been
labeled with huge logos of the City Government and a marking “for official use
only”. Trip tickets have already been utilized most especially at the City
Engineer’s Office. LGU Vehicles not assigned to heads of offices are also now
being parked at the city hall premises every evening.
4. Administration, Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation
Timely monitoring and supervision have been carried throughout the whole
project period implementation. ECOLINK has managed well the resources of the
project and has been able to carry out the necessary adjustments from time to
time.
C. Project Expenditures
The project is estimated to cost 1,082,850 pesos with 257,850 as ECOLINK
equity and 825,000 PTF grant during the project development stage. ECOLINK
has received two grant tranches at 366,039.20 pesos on December and
353,478.10 pesos on April. The total actual grant values received from PTF is
719,517.30 pesos. A remaining $1,700 receivable from PTF (est. 73,100) will
give a total of 792,617.30 pesos PTF grant support to ECOLINK for the Project.
Note that the actual value of grant is 32,382.70 pesos lesser that the agreed
estimated amount at appraisal period. Total actual ECOLINK expenditure for the
project is 285, 021.95, and about 27,171.95 higher than the project appraisal
value.
D. Project Timetable
Figure 1:
Actual Timeframe/ Schedule (Monthly)
December January February March April May June-July
Project Activities
1.MOA Signing / Project Launcing
2.Photo-journalism Contest
3. “Conscience Posters” Distribution
4.Inter-school short-play contest
5.Publish Monthly Newsletter
6. “Bantay Kurapsyon” Radio Program
7.Exit Conference/ Network Launching
8.Local Govt Expenditure Workshops
9.BAC GPRA Compliance Training
10.Evaluation Report
11.Equipment Purchase
12.TWG Meetings
13. Others
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III. IMPACTS ASSESSMENT
A. Relevance
The Commission on Audit (COA) says that the Philippine government loses
around 2 billion pesos every year due to corruption (Civil Service Commission:
1998). As Philippine Daily Inquirer reports on July 10, 1999, the government
loses 1.4 trillion in a year in an average of 100 million pesos every day since the
Office of the Ombudsman begins investigating corruption cases on 1998. Thus,
the pervasiveness of corruption in the Philippines has plagued the whole system
of bureaucracy from the highest levels of offices up to the lowest local
government units.
Based of rough estimates, the city government is spending 20% of its actual
gasoline expenses for personal use of a officials and employees. So on 2006,
1,847,965.61 of the annual gasoline appropriations is lost to corruption. If all 136
cities in the Philippines lose the same amount, around 251,323,322.96 pesos is
lost to corruption every year due to misuse of government-issued vehicles in
local governments alone.
The Government Vehicle Monitoring System intervention model (See Appendix
1) designed and used in the Anti-Corruption and Transparency is consistent with
existing anti-corruption thrusts and principles of the Office of the Ombudsman,
the Department of the Interior and Local Government and key non-governmental
institutions including the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, two
major partners of the project.
1. Reinforcing the Office of the Ombudsman’s Oplan Red Plate
The Office of the Ombudsman has an existing campaign dubbed as “Oplan Red
Plate” geared towards penalizing government officials and employees using redplated government-issued vehicles. The campaign includes actual surveillance to
gather material proof of vehicle misuse and filing of necessary administrative and
criminal cases against erring government personalities. It also maximizes the
powers of the Office of the Ombudsman to temporarily relieve these officials. As
of June 2007, the Office of the Ombudsman has so far gathered no more than
200 photos and video footages of actual vehicle misuse all over the country as
their website announces so. At least 27 government officials have so far been
relieved of duty for their involvement in the prohibited act.
The participatory approach of vehicle monitoring in this project reinforces a major
shortcoming of the Ombudsman campaign. Instead of deploying governmentpaid personnel (who are often already loaded with excessive administrative
worked) in actual surveillance and documentation of red-plates, the ACT initiative
utilizes existing institutions and social strata to monitor, document and report
vehicle misuse when and where it actually happens. These key players include
public utility drivers, bartenders and waiters in entertainment houses, government
employees, students and teachers. Installing a mechanism like the “Bantay
Kurapsyon Radio Program” or Text Hotline to collect and consolidate the reports
from citizens themselves completes the whole monitoring process at very
minimal if not totally no cost at all.
This very important aspect of the intervention framework utilized by ECOLINK
has been appreciated by no less than Hon. Humphrey Monteroso, Deputy
Ombudsman for Mindanao during his official visit to the project Exit Conference.
2. Reinforcing accounting and auditing systems
The Commission on Audit (COA) is empowered to enforce the provisions of R.A.
7645 or Government Accounting and Auditing Manual. But the low pace of
auditing process has provided elected officials the avenue to veer away from
accountabilities during their term of service. Also, the retro-active characteristic of
the agency in identifying corruption issues involving government funds and
properties (ie. Excessive gasoline and lubricant expenses, overpriced
procurement of automotive services and parts) cannot effectively prevent corrupt
practices in the local government. With the independent expenditure monitoring
approach used in the project, the public will be able to get a timely and actual
view of public funds spending by a particular office despite the absence of
computerized financial information systems. Moreover, random case studies of
vehicles can compute an average reasonable corruption rating for each identified
item and office.
3. Identifying major policy and administrative gaps in government and
instituting necessary reforms
The intervention model used in the project is very significant in terms of
identifying major policy gaps at the local government in terms of implementing
applicable guidelines in the use, procurement and maintenance of red-plated
vehicles. It also figures out weaknesses of the LGU’s in terms of compliance to
procurement laws and accounting and auditing rules as well as of involving the
citizenry in the affairs of the government. The model ordinances for Barangay
LGU’s and City LGU’s are crucial to the institution of necessary reforms in
respective bodies.
B. Efficacy in Achievement of Objectives
1. Increase of Citizens’ Participation in anti-corruption campaigns
The project has extensively increased citizen participation in local government
affairs most especially those concerning issues of corruption and anomalies.
Before the start of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency initiative, there is not
one means whether through media or institutions where people can express their
views and opinion as well as directly participate in corruption issues. The
following table best explains the figures of citizen participation in specific project
activities.
Table 1:
Summary of Responses
Month
Calls
Letters
December
Text
Messages
47
Attendance in Activities
Individuals
Organizations
57-Launching/ 11-Workshop 7-Student Publications/
11-NGO’s/ 3-Media/ LGU
4
1
January
February
March
216
78
27
7
2
6
3
1
0
April
May
June
July
30
13
119
107
6
2
25
39
0
0
6
18
78-Exit Conference
27-NGO’s & PO’s/ DILG/
DepEd/ City Govt/ DENR/
Ombudsman
August
September
Total
261
299
1197
76
12
179
21
5
55
48-Graft Watch Training
906
9- JGW’s
71 Organizations
13-Workshop
98-Contestants/ 590Audience/ 11-Workshop
8-Schools/ DepEd/ LGU
As of September 5, 2007, ECOLINK has received a total of 1197 SMS, 179
Phone Calls and 55 Hand-carried letters relevant to the project. At least 906
individuals have directly participated in project activities. Also, ECOLINK has
mobilized and partnered with 71 organizations- NGO’s, PO’s and important
Government agencies.
Table 2:
Sources of SMS Reports
Month
Students/
JGW
Drivers
Waiters/
Bartenders
Employees
Anonymous
Total
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
Total
3
21
4
7
4
0
2
1
1
1
44
3
11
2
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
18
0
4
0
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
7
2
4
6
0
3
3
0
2
3
2
25
3
31
11
4
6
2
1
1
4
1
64
11
71
23
11
15
5
3
6
9
4
158
Most SMS reports received by the Project Management Team come from
anonymous sources while students contribute 44 out of the 158 total messages.
Government employees, public utility transport drivers and workers in
entertainment houses contribute significantly.
2a. Reduction of Expenditures on Gasoline and Lubricants
The following graph shows the comparative figures of mid-year expenditures in
vehicle misuse as of June 2006 and by June 207.
Figure 2:
Comparative Data 2006/2007
Appropriations vs Actual Expenditures
5,000,000.00
2006
4,000,000.00
3,000,000.00
2006
2007
2007
2,000,000.00
1,000,000.00
-
appropriations
expenses
On June 2006, the City Government has exceeded a total of 1,692,081.12 pesos
from its original appropriation for the whole year. As of June 2007, the City
Government still has remaining 311,572.27 from its calendar year appropriations.
In brief, there is a pattern of savings in expenditures by the LGU. (Note: The
data used herein are unofficial data derived from raw figures manually available.
Other factors may include fewer projects within the period January – June 2007)
It must be noted that the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) receives the highest
amount of appropriations in terms of gasoline and lubricants as of years 2006
and 2007. It has the highest spending rate of 99.9 % of its annual budget. On
the other hand, the City Social Welfare and Development claims the highest
savings of 80.02% from its annual gasoline allocations.
The Barangay LGU’s get the highest figures of expenditure reduction from
January - June 2007, all 47 barangays have only spent a total of 276,000 pesos
for gasoline and lubricants or 371,000 pesos lower than the previous year.
2b. Reduction of Vehicle Misuse
This aspect of project objective gets the highest level of project accomplishment
simply because ECOLINK has able to establish a material proof of reduction in
cases of vehicle misuse reinforced by the results of the post-project perception
survey conducted on July 2007.
Table 3:
Vehicle Misuse Report
Month
Photos Gathered
Citizens
ECOLINK
1
16
8
59
6
11
6
3
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
0
1
1
33
97
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
Total
Total
Photos
Text
Reports
Total Reports of
Vehicle Misuse
17
67
17
9
9
3
2
3
1
2
130
11
71
23
11
15
5
3
6
9
4
158
28
138
40
20
24
8
5
9
10
6
288
The table above shows the reducing figures of vehicle misuse cases in Oroquieta
City. Even on May 2007 when the national and local elections fell, there are only
8 reports of vehicle misuse making Oroquieta the only city where not one
government vehicle is used by administration political candidates. It also shows a
trend of increasing percentage of photos submitted from citizens. To say that the
reducing figures maybe caused by decreasing popularity of the project is
absolutely incorrect as the graph below can attest.
Figure 3:
Comparative Data
Citizen Responses vs. Vehicle Misuse Reports
400
358
226
316
300
200
138
100
52
28
0
D
F
36
24
33
20
40
J
164
150
81
M
A
15
8
M
9
5
J
J
10
A
Total Citizens Responses
Total Reports of Vehicle Misuse
6
S
As to the offices where the reported vehicles are assigned, the following data
gives us the figures:
Figure 4:
Office Assignment of Reported Vehicles
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
D
J
F
Oroquieta City Government
M
A
Barangay LGU's
M
J
J
Provincial Govt.
A
S
Others
Most vehicles reported are assigned to the City Government of Oroquieta while a
significant number belongs to other LGU’s visiting the City. The figure above also
shows the decline in the number of vehicles assigned to the Provincial
Government being reported. This means that the project’s impacts goes beyond
the City Government of Oroquieta.
It is, therefore, safe to say the project has completely reduced corrupt practices
of government vehicle use by officials and employees of the LGU.
2c. Eradication of Gasoline Reselling
Gasoline reselling is the worst form of corruption related to government vehicles
for it involves a direct conversion of public funds (gasoline allocation) into
personal financial benefits. It has wasted around 120,600 pesos since 1997. With
the project involving citizen-based monitoring and reporting, cases of gasoline
reselling has been totally eradicated. No less than the buying stations attest to
this fact.
Month
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
Total
Table 4:
Gasoline Reselling Reports
No. of Reports
Est. Gasoline
Quantity (L)
7
69
4
23
2
13
1
13
0
0
1
16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
15
134
Value
3,105.00
1,035.00
585.00
585.00
720.00
6,030.00
The perception survey conducted for this purpose also shows that among 100
randomly selected people, all really believes that gasoline reselling no longer
exists today citing the reason that those involved in such corrupt practice- both
the buyer and seller- are afraid to be caught in actual act of reselling and to be
reported on air and even to face criminal charges.
Perception
Increased
Decreased
Nothing has Changed
Gone
Table 5
Perception Survey Summary
Vehicle
Reselling of
Overpriced
Overpriced
Misuse (%)
Gasoline (%)
Spare parts & Purchase of New
Services (%)
Vehicles (%)
0
0
0
0
11.00
0
0
0
1.0
0
9
0
88.00
100
91
0
3. Strengthening LGU’s Compliance to Procurement Laws
Based on actual observations and in-depth interviews of key individuals on any
development during the period covered by this report, the LGU’s Compliance to
Procurement Laws has been significantly strengthened specifically on the
following indicators: 1) presence of 3rd party observer in BAC and bidding
processes, 2) posting and publication of bidding announcements, and 3)
accessibility of bidding documents.
Covering three specific government bodies, an evaluation matrix below is made
and verified:
Major GPRA
Compliance
Indicators
CSO
Representation
in BAC
Posting/
Publication of
Bid Info
Accessibility of
Documents
Table 6
Procurement Compliance Levels
Pre- Project Intervention
Post-Project Intervention
Barangays City Govt Natl. Line Barangays City Govt Natl. Line
Oroquieta Agencies
Oroquieta Agencies
None
Minimal
Minimal
Minimal
Significant
Significant
None
Minimal
Minimal
Minimal
Minimal
Significant
None
None
None
Minimal
Significant
Significant
3.1. CSO Representation in B.A.C.’s
Since the project has started, the ECOLINK has already received 21 invitations
to sit as observer in biddings. The government offices who requested CSO
Representation through ECOLINK includes the Department of EducationOroquieta Division, Department of Agriculture, 6 Barangay LGU’s, Department of
Education- Misamis Occidental Division and the City Government of Oroquieta.
ECOLINK has facilitated members of the Oroquieta City Coalition Against
Corruption to represent in several B.A.C.’s. This is one of the most important
indicators of the maturity of government offices to comply with the provisions of
the Government Procurement Reform Act or RA 9184 and open the doors to the
civil society to observe in the bidding processes. The Barangay LGU’s are the
worst in terms of BAC functionality on 2006.
3.2. Posting/ Publication of Bids Info
The Barangay LGU’s are the most notorious of all government bodies in the
posting and publication of bids. Before the project, they do not comply at all.
Spare parts and automotive services acquired by these barangays have not at all
undergone any bidding. The City Government has the most impressive record of
considering recommended reforms from the CSO particularly on the need of
adjust existing procurement processes.
3.3. Accessibility of Documents
Before, bidding information and documents in the City Government of Oroquieta
are rarely accessible. By now, any interested party may access procurement
documents.
C. Efficiency in Achievement of Goal
The goal of this project is to significantly reduce and prevent the
wastage/corruption of local government funds through an anti-corruption and
transparency intervention using participatory, low-cost, innovative and creative
strategies. The question is: has the project been able to significantly reduce and
prevent corruption in the City Government of Oroquieta? The answer is
obviously, yes. This initiative has totally reduced/ eradicated corrupt practices in
the use of red-plated vehicles by officials and personnel of the City Government
of Oroquieta, the 47 Barangay LGU’s and national line agencies.
One case study (See Appendix 10) revealed that one city official corrupts at least
3.29 liters of gasoline valued at 141.29 pesos every day due to the use of his
assigned four-wheel government vehicle in transporting water to and from his
farm. In his three years-term of service as a councilor he squandered a
conservative estimate of 157, 707.86 pesos and causes the City Government to
spend an additional 45,000 pesos for repair services and parts.
In monetary value, the project has caused a reduction of expenditures by
95,000 pesos among the 47 barangay LGU’s and by 1,692,081.12 pesos in
the City Government. The prevention of gasoline reselling saves the
government worth 5,672 every six months and 247,680 pesos in vehicle
misuse. All in all, the project has saved the LGU a total of 2,040,433.12.
D. Sustainability
Most of the project activities will be carried out even in the absence of continued
support from PTF. For instance, the poster-making, short-play and
photojournalism competitions have been included in the Annual Calendar of
Activities of the Department of Education –Oroquieta City Division. The
newsletter will be continually managed by ECOLINK and funded by the business
sector. The radio program will be continued by ECOLINK in coordination with the
Oroquieta City Press Club.
The drafting and approval of ordinances setting the guidelines on use vehicle
management of LGU’s ensures the sustainability of policy reforms.
With the establishment of a citizen-based anti-corruption coalition, the major
gains of the project will be continued and expanded. There, however, is an
obvious and critical aspect of weakness in the project’s sustainability- the
operation of the Oroquieta City Citizens Coalition Against Corruption. The
network has very limited financial resources and other organizations do not have
the capacity to contribute for its program. It is therefore important for ECOLINK to
ensue that future similar projects should include strengthening the institutional
capacities of local transparency networks or similar groups.
E. Replicability
Civil society organizations who may wish to undertake anti-corruption strategies
in local governments can utilize the Government Vehicle Monitoring intervention
model designed and used by the project. The Office of the Ombusman may also
be able to learn lessons of the project to improve the strategies of their Oplan
Red-Plate. The combination and choice of information and education activities
provides a perfect example to other NGO’s in raising citizens’ awareness and
involving the citizens in addressing specific corruption issues. In fact, the
Transparency and Accountability Project (TAG) of the City Government of
Oroquieta and the Paglaum MPC has already studied and utilized advocacy
approaches used by this project.
F. Other Impacts
1. Local Policy and Administrative Reforms
Barangay LGU’s in Oroquieta City have been adopting the model ordinance
drafted by the ECOLINK since June 2007. As of September 5, 2007, around six
of them has finally passed and approved the ordinance. (See Appendix 3)
Likewise, the City Government of Oroquieta has begun developing its own
guidelines in the use, management and procurement of vehicles and automotive
services and parts. Heads of Offices has already issued orders to their respective
personnel to refrain from using government-issued vehicles in personal
purposes. The Sangguniang Panlungsod has already taken the following steps
that will eventually lead into the passage and approval of the ordinance:
January 2007
-
March 2007
-
May 2007
-
June 2007
-
August 2007
-
September 2007 October 2007
-
Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) Session inviting
ECOLINK regarding issues of vehicle misuse.
Policy formulation consultation meeting with selected
legislators. Outline of proposed ordinance drafted.
Series of policy-formulation workshops conducted. Second
Draft of City Ordinance formulated.
A leading supporter of the project, Atty. Lel Blanco’s term of
office ends along with 3 other supportive councilors. New
councilors take oath of office.
Committee on Way and Means issued sponsored resolution
requesting the GSO to provide an inventory of city vehicles.
Consultation with the new councilors regarding the proposed
ordinance held unofficially.
Target passage and deliberation of the final draft of the city
ordinance
Relative to vehicle use and management, the following specific actions are
undertaken:
•
•
•
•
•
City Government Logo and “FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY” are labeled in all
LGU vehicles.
Four-wheel vehicles not assigned to Heads of Offices are parked and
deposited at the City Hall premises every night and during weekends
except when used for official purposes.
City hall employee sacked from duty when caught in actual misuse last
year.
Trip tickets are now being used in offices especially at the CEO.
Barangay LGU’s have adopted restraint in the use of vehicles by
individuals and unauthorized personnel
2. Socio- cultural Impacts
Corruption as we fully understand encompasses all aspects of daily life of an
individual. In societies like the Philippines where corruption has historical and
cultural roots, anti-corruption initiatives like this project strikes not only the
practices and legal concerns within the bureaucracy but also the moral standards
of public officials and employees. The use of arts, media and others
communication channels is crucial to the promotion of a culture of honesty,
integrity and accountability among the ordinary citizens who demand equitable
and sincere delivery of services from the government and among public officials
and employees. This project has therefore caused a long-lasting effect to the
community it covers. In-depth interviews with heads of offices, officials previously
reported of vehicle misuse, and ordinary citizens reveal that they have developed
within themselves an ethical standard of refraining from the use of red-plated
vehicles beyond official purposes. When the culture of “utang na loob”
supposedly comes in, the project has caused them to be able to refuse requests
for vehicle use from friends, relatives and political allies.
3. CSO Empowerment
On 2006, there are relatively few CSO’s involved in the affairs of the local
government. Although a number of NGO’s including ECOLINK exist and operate
within the city, not one has actually been sitting in mandatory local special bodies
of the City Government. Although a Federation of NGO’s has already been
existing since 1996, the level of engagement these institutions pursue with the
LGU is very minimal and almost confined to coordination in projects. This project
since its inception has created a ripple effect to the civil society in transforming
PO’s and NGO’s into indispensable key players of local development regardless
of main institutional thrusts and mandates. On 2006, a total of 11 NGO’s
including the ECOLINK has applied accreditation with the LGU of Oroquieta. This
number has increase rapidly as of September 2007 with a total figure of 41. Also,
the following are some of the local special bodies that have opened their doors to
CSO representation:
• People’s Law Enforcement Board
• Bids and Awards Committee
• Projects Monitoring Committee
• Local Development Council
• City Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Mngt. Council
• Local School Board
• Solid Waste Management Council
• CCTAG
• HIV/AIDS Council
On 2005, the City Government has only appropriated P 15,000.00 as annual aid
to NGO’s and PO’s. On 2006 and 2007, more than 250,000 pesos from the City
Development Fund has been allocated for projects of NGO’s and PO’s.
The Oroquieta City Coalition against Corruption and the ECOLINK have
representatives in Bids and Awards Committees of the City government,
Barangay LGU’s and local offices of national line agencies, thereby providing us
the opportunity to witness first-hand procurement processes in the said
government bodies.
The Projects Monitoring Committee (PMC), a local administrative body of the City
Government, is a powerful and very important one in terms of access to and
involvement in the implementation of all programs and projects of the City be
they infrastructure, trainings, livelihood, among others. Members of this
committee include the CPDO, Heads of Offices and NGO’s. Of all, an OCCAC
figure heads this committee. ECOLINK Executive Director Paul Pastrano
Gangoso holds a key part in the PMC.
Combined with ECOLINK’s Media and Democratization Program, the local media
community of Misamis Occidental has attained an inspiring light of pursuing
programs like the “Bantay Kurapsyon” which provides sharp, provocative and
heated discussion of issues concerning corruption in the bureaucracy as well as
other concerns involving the welfare of the general public. Many broadcasters
are now trying to pursue the form and content of the “Bantay Kurapsyon” in their
respective on-air shows.
4. Addressing Other Specific Corruption Issues
The levels of impacts these project bring are not confined to government-owned
vehicles and their use, procurement and maintenance. With the increasing
popularity of the project, the institution, and the “Bantay Kurapsyon”, many issues
have been and will be addressed. To name a few, these are:
4.1. Specific Vehicle–related cases
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Use of LGU Vehicle of Barangay Malindang in transporting farm goods
Collection of passenger fee of LGU Vehicle of Barangay Victoria
Use of LGU Vehicle of Barangay Layawan by a Minor Resident and
Relative of the Punong Barangay
Misuse of City Government Vehicle Issued to Councilor Famacion
Unofficial Use of Garbage Compactor in transporting logs
Reselling of Gasoline Allocations
Removal of Motorcycle Plate Numbers
63 total reports immediately acted by the concerned offices
4.2. Corrupt Practices of School Principal
Mrs. Antonia Regale, Acting School Principal of Rizal National High Schol, has
been reported of physical and financial abuses. ECOLINK facilitated the case
and she was already relieved from her duty and was replaced by a new Principal.
4.3 Delayed Salary of Bunotex Employees
Bunotex employees numbering 200 complain through “Bantay Kurapsyon” that
they have not received their salary due for six months already. ECOLINK initiated
consultation between concerned parties and the employees received their salary
1 week after the complaint. The employer also thank the ECOLINK for its
constructive approach in solving the problem. The Bunotex is a government-run
facility.
4.4. “Kotong Cops”
“Kotong” or bribe money is often associated with cops in the Philippines. A few
months ago, traders complain of these corrupt practices of identified cops.
“Bantay Kurapsyon” discussed the issue on air and forwarded the complaint to
the Chief of Police through the Council of Elders. The “kotong” practice has since
then stopped.
4.5. “Commission Every Audit”
The COA, the auditing body of the Philippine government, shows the reason why
it is one of the most corrupt agencies in the country when it collects 1,000.00
pesos from each of the 47 barangays every annual audit. These amounts they
collect from the Barangay LGU’s are “charged to materials” and they often
threaten Barangay officials to disallow the latter’s cash gifts at the end of the
year. “Bantay Kurapsyon” tackled the issue for two succeeding weeks and after a
heated and controversial public debate, the COA take a step back.
4.6. “BSSP Coop”
The issue of massive corruption in the Barangay Self-Sufficiency Program
Cooperative, a cooperative run by the Association of Barangay Councils, has
been exposed into the public by the “Bantay Kurapsyon”. ECOLINK reveals that
almost 500,000 pesos of goods and cold cash have been pocketed by Barangay
officials managing the cooperative. ECOLINK’s investigation also found out that
211 city hall employees an officials have unpaid and almost forgotten debts to
the cooperative totaling almost 400,000 pesos. These debts are acquired almost
a decade ago. An investigation from concerned bodies is now going on.
4.7. “Waiting Shed Syndrome”
The Sangguniang Kabataan is a government body composed of elected youth
representatives of the community. They receive mandatory budget allocations
form the national government and LGU’s. ECOLINK has revealed through the
“Bantay Kurapsyon” that 46 out of the 47 barangays of Oroquieta have nonfunctional SK’s yet their funds have continuously been utilized for several
projects. Corruption is rampant as shown in the “Waiting shed syndrome” where
each Barangay constructs waiting sheds at a cost of 40,000- 75,000 pesos each.
Kickbacks from the construction of these mini-structures amount to 20,000- 35
thousand each. There are a total of 49 waiting sheds constructed in Oroquieta
City alone with an estimated total cost of 2,940,000 pesos sourced out of SK
funds. With an average corruption rate of 33%, 970, 200 pesos is pocketed by
SK and Barangay Officials involved in this projects. And all of these waiting
sheds are not utilized for the purpose it is designed for. Most of these are
constructed in front of the houses of SK Officials and some even convert these
structures into sari-sari stores. With ECOLINK’s revelation, the DILG is now
strictly monitoring SK projects and discouraging the construction of additional
waiting sheds.
4.8. Other Issues
Many other issues of corruption as well as public concerns have been opened for
public discussion and resolution by the project. These include corrupt practices in
the PACAP projects, abusive officials and irregularities in hiring of city hall
personnel. It is also noteworthy cite that there is not one red-plated vehicle used
during the May elections as administration politicians respect the project and the
ethics the project hopes to pursue. And as long as activities like the “Bantay
Kurapsyon” Radio Program continues, the project will be able to address a lot
more corruption issues in the locality.
IV.OVERALL ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Overall Assessment
All in all, the project has achieved the targets as defined during the development
period and is considered successful. (See Appendix 8). The initiative has
articulated well and achieved its goal ad objectives. It has extensive increased
citizen participation to a quantitative and qualitative degree more than it has
originally looked forward to. It has effectively reduced gasoline expenditures of
the City Government of Oroquieta including local offices of national line agencies
and Barangay LGU more than its targeted amount at appraisal stage. It has
totally eradicated gasoline reselling and totally reduced vehicle misuse of
government officials and employees. The project has also effectively caused the
City Government to undertake steps in complying with procurement laws
especially on the aspects of CSO representation in bidding processes, posting
and publication of bidding documents, and accessibility of documents. The
advocacy components have empowered the citizenry to speak and expose
corrupt practices in their respective communities and experiences. It has also
reinforced existing campaigns of government agencies like the Office of the
Ombudsman. It has also triggered the formulation of policy reforms responsive
to issues covered by the project. In addition to, it has been able to address
several specific corruption issues and public concerns other than involving
government vehicles. It has raised the commitment and sense of ownership
among people’s organizations, youth organizations, non-governmental
organizations and concerned individuals to the cause of curbing corruption at all
levels of the bureaucracy.
B. Problems Encountered
The major problem encountered during the course of the 1st month project
implementation was the long delay of the holding of the Launching Ceremony.
Regrettably, the City mayor himself was not able to attend the MOU Signing.
According to recommendations from legal experts, the Memorandum of
Agreement was transformed into a Memorandum of Understanding since the
project do not require financial and legal obligation to the part of the City
Government. In addition to, the MOU had has to be translated into a multi-party
agreement involving the DILG, ECOLINK, City Government, and others.
Individuals at the City Mayor’s Office are very furious of the project since hey are
some of the first caught in actual misuse of vehicles. This came to a point when
the City Mayor wrote a disturbing letter to the Asian Development Bank asking to
stop the project citing reasons like duplicity with their TAG Project, etc. By July
however, the city’s TAG Project has tapped ECOLINK to give them insights of
this project that may be able to replicate. Everything has been resolved anyway.
As the increasing number of reports each day shows a positive impact of the
ACT project, most especially the “Bantay Kurapsyon” Radio Program, the regular
work plans of ECOLINK personnel were diverted to acting on such reports. Mr
Rolando Neri, the City Local Government Operations Officer of the DILG was
replaced by Mr.Porferio Chiong. In relation to the “Bantay Kurapsyon” Radio
Program, furious reactions were received from 2 affected city personnel (caught
and reported of actual misuse of vehicles).
From March 1 until May 31, 2007, the ECOLINK has encountered but three
problems related to the project. The delay of grant funds from PTF is the most
important of all which has caused some adjustments to the projects on March. It
was not until April 5, 2007 that the funds entered our account. Because the shortplay contest was scheduled on March 26, the ECOLINK utilized its own funds for
the activities. Starting June 2007, the Project Management Staff has not
encountered any significant problem at all.
C. Lessons Learned
The project is a very timely response to an already provocative issue of massive
corruption in the Philippine bureaucracy. It shows, among other that anticorruption initiatives require utmost commitment, leadership and patience as
shown by ECOLINK in the pursuit of the project’s targeted objectives. Delays at
start-up activities are common to all development projects yet initiative has to be
taken to reduce these. It is also important for every NGO who will pursue similar
initiatives to ensure that the institution including its staff and project personnel
stand neutral between partisan blocs during election periods. This project shows
how a good project can be vulnerable to become scapegoats in political bickering
among political parties and personalities. The measures undertaken by
ECOLINK are very good at ensuring balance of support from all opposing camps
within government bodies during this very volatile period of Philippine history.
D. Recommendations
1. Pursue precedent cases at the Office of the Ombudsman
It is highly recommended that the ECOLINK through the OCCAC will file and
pursue corruption complaints at the Office of the Ombudsman Mindanao. The
cases will be a precedent to all local government officials and employees to
strictly observe proper usage of government-issued vehicles and compliance to
procurement laws.
2. Strengthen local transparency network
It is important to pursue efforts to strengthen the institutional capacities of local
transparency networks like the Oroquieta City Coalition Against Corruption as
they will act as trusted foundations of the citizenry in the fight against corruption.
This will maintain the momentum gained from the project in the past months.
3. Replicate and expand vehicle monitoring scope
Using the intervention model of this project, government vehicle monitoring
should be pursued in a wider scope and coverage. NGO’s in other cities may
facilitate and support these horizontal project replication activities. These
engagements will use the same approaches of this project taking into
consideration the lessons learned. In this respect, the ECOLINK may develop a
project of similar concept with a bigger scope with PTF’s support.
4. Develop researches on the extent of corruption in the local government
Developing and undertaking researches on the extent of corruption in the local
government can help identify and pursue major policy and administrative reforms
in the country. The extent of corruption in the Philippines as readily available data
presents may even be worst than it seems.
Appendix 1: Government Vehicle Monitoring Intervention Model
Appendix 2: Project Logical Framework
OBJECTIVES
INPUTS
MEANS OF
VERIFICATION
GOAL: SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE AND PREVENT THE WASTAGE/CORRUPTION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
FUNDS THROUGH AN ANTI-CORRUPTION AND TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE
OBJECTIVE 1:
Testimonies of
Budgetary Data collated, integrated and
Monitor LGU
After 6 months,
LGU Officials/
analyzed with the following specific
reduce corrupt/ lavish Expenditures through
Workshop
indicators: 1) Amount of LGU expenses in
Quarterly Expenditure
expenditures of the
Accomplishment
excess of allocation
Analysis Workshops
Local Government of
Report
2) Amount of LGU funds used to private
Oroquieta on vehicle
consumptions of oil, gasoline & repairs
procurement, use and Monitor Actual Vehicle
Photos/ SMS/ Phone
Misuse
maintenance by at
Actual Vehicle Misuse Records
least 20%.
Reports
Establish a Feedback
At least 50 Reports/ Complaints acted by
mechanism within the
Comparative
the LGU
LGU
Budgetary Data
IEC/ Advocacy
OBJECTIVE 2:
After 6 months,
strengthen the
LGU’s compliance
to GPRA .
IEC/ Information Drive on
GPRA (same as below)
Monitor LGU’s compliance
to GPRA on vehicle
procurement
B.A.C. (Bids & Awards
Committee) Enhancement
Training
OBJECTIVE 3:
After 6 months,
significantly
increase citizen
participation on
anti-corruption
and transparency
programs and
actions .
Organize anti-corruption
Photo-journalism contest
Create and Distribute
“Conscience Posters”
INDICATORS
Specific measures adopted by the LGU to
prevent gasoline diversions/ theft and
vehicle misuse
GPRA Compliance of LGU on Vehicles
based on the following specific indicators:
1) Posting/ ads 2) accessibility of docs.
3) Presence of 3rd-party observer
throughout the whole process
1 BAC GPRA Compliance Training
Conducted including 1 Benchmarking
New policies recommended
• At least 5 campus papers and 2 local
newspapers participating in the photojournalism contest
• 300 “conscience posters” distributed and
posted in government offices and public
Organize inter-school short- places
play contest
• at least 5 entries in the play contest with
Publish Monthly Newsletter at least 200 audience
Conduct a weekly 30minute block time local
radio program dubbed
“Bantay Kurapsyon”
(Corruption Watch)
Network Building/
Conference on Corruption
in the Local Government
Establish a Citizen’s
Feedback mechanism
within the LGU
• I monthly newsletter in 100 copies
published and distributed/month
• At least 100 calls/ text messages from
radio listeners reporting improper use of
public vehicles
• anti-corruption conference held/ at least
10 participating CSO’s, PO’s, NGO’s and
private institutions in the network/
conference
• Feedback mechanism established
Policies adopted
and implemented
M&E Reports
Copies of legislations/
policies enacted
GPRA Compliance
Assessment
Workshop
Proceedings
M&E Report
Pictorials
Copies of articles
published and
posters printed
Radio-recordings/
Photo –
documentations
Contest results/
reports
Conference
proceedings/
attendance/
pictorials/
documentation
Accomplishment
Report
Appendix 3: Sample of Approved Barangay LGU Ordinance on Vehicle Use
Republic of the Philippines
OFFICE OF THE SANGGUNIANG PAMBARANGAY
Barangay Upper Rizal, Oroquieta City
EXCERPT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE
SANGGUNIANG BARANGAY OF UPPER RIZAL HELD ON JUNE 26,2007 AT
3:00 PM.
PRESENT:
Punong Barangay
Kagawad
Kagawad
Kagawad
Kagawad
Kagawad
Kagawad
Kagawad
SK Chairman
OTHERS PRESENT:
Secretary
Treasurer
ABSENT:
None
Lolita Pastrano , presiding
Segundino Balaba
Luz T. Manlawe
Erlinda M. Mequiabas
Roberto B. Clavite
Felipe P. Manlawe
Pedro Bacus
Silverio Uba
Ruel T. Babanto
Arcel Uba
Elsa Uba
Brgy. Ordinance No.11 - 2007
PRESCRIBING THE GUIDELINES ON THE USE OF BARANGAY
GOVERNMENT VEHICLE, FUEL CONSUMPTION, AND AVAILMENT OF
AUTOMOTIVE MAINTENANCE SERVICES
WHEREAS, Section 361, Chapter 4 (Use, Repair and Maintenance of
Government Vehicles), Title 6, Book III, Volume I of the Government Accounting
and Auditing Manual lays down the rules on the use of government vehicles and
fuel consumption;
WHEREAS, it is noted that there has been a high rate of expenditures on fuel
consumption of the Barangay Government vehicle;
WHEREAS, the use of vehicle must be properly controlled and regulated, and
fuel consumption in relation thereto must be properly monitored;
WHEREFORE, these guidelines on the use of barangay Government vehicle,
fuel consumption, and availment of maintenance service are hereby adopted:
Section 1. Coverage. - These guidelines shall apply to the barangay vehicles of
the Local Government of Barangay Upper Rizal,
Section 2. Guidelines. - The following guidelines shall be observed in the use of
barangay vehicles, as well as fuel consumption and availment of automotive
maintenance services:
a. The barangay vehicle shall be used for official purposes only. Unless properly
and duly authorized prior to target date of use, the use of said vehicle on
Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, beyond the regular hours for going to and
from the office, or outside the route of the official or employee authorized to use
them is strictly prohibited.
b. No vehicle shall be used for purely private social functions or for other
personal purposes, or for the spouse, children, relatives, or friends of the official
entitled thereto.
c. The vehicle must be kept in the Barangay Hall’s compound except when in use
for strictly official purposes or unless the security in the vicinity is lax.
d. Non- resident of the Barangay shall not be allowed to use the vehicle except
otherwise covered by a written agreement between him and the Sangguniang
Pambarangay through the Punong Barangay. Provided, however, that the use of
such vehicle is for purposes specified in Paragraph b Section 2 above.
e. Requests to use the barangay vehicle by elected and appointed officials of the
Barangay shall be made personally by the individual. The request shall be
accomplished in the prescribed form as may be promulgated by the Sangguniang
Pambarangay, stating therein the purpose of such travel.
e.1 The request shall be forwarded to the Punong Barangay. The
Punong Barangay shall order the assigned driver to fill up properly all
required information indicated in proper space of said form, such as the
quantity of fuel to be purchased before travel and the quantity which was
consumed after the use of said vehicle.
e.2 The Secretary of the Barangay shall duly note in the said form
the fuel issued, purchased or consumed and the balance of fuel in the
tank at the end of the trip.
f. Requisitions for gasoline for the use of barangay vehicle shall be accomplished
through a resolution from the Sangunniang Pambarangay and approved by the
Punong Barangay. The Barangay Treasurer shall carry out the necessary steps
to proceed with the acquisition subject to existing rules and availability of budget.
No requisition for gasoline or diesel shall be dispensed and paid by the Barangay
unless there has been a prior approval.
g. Only elected or appointed individuals including the Punong Barangay is
allowed to drive the vehicle irregardless of purpose and destination. A driver
should possess valid driver’s license and not influenced by liquor on actual usage
of vehicle.
h. Any resident of Upper Rizal, neither an elected nor appointed official of the
barangay, who wish to use the vehicle on conditions as specified in the
ordinance, shall shoulder all gasoline expenses incurred in the use of the vehicle.
i. Electrical, mechanical and other related services necessary to maintain the
roadworthiness of the vehicle, except those under warranty, should be done only
by the duly accredited service station, subject to the required pre-repair
inspection report duly approved by the Barangay.
j. Effective 1 October 2007, the authorized gasoline and service station of
Barangay Upper Rizal shall be GF Petron, Poblacion 2, Oroquieta City.
k. The Barangay Treasurer shall submit a monthly report of fuel consumption of
the vehicle to the Commission on Audit, copy furnished to the Sangguniang
Pambarangay. The Secretary shall maintain a file of all the requests for the use
of barangay vehicle and reports on fuel consumption and availment of
automotive maintenance services.
Section 3. Applicability of the General Accounting and Auditing Manual. Whenever applicable, the provisions of the General Accounting and Auditing
Manual shall govern.
Section 4. Effectivity. - These guidelines shall take effect on the 1st day of
October 2007.
Approved: June 26 2007
CERTIFIED TRUE AND CORRECT UPON DELIBERATION:
(Sgd)
LOLITA PASTRANO
Punong Barangay, Presiding
ATTESTED:
(Sgd)
ARCEL UBA
Secretary
Appendix 4: Indicative Output Assessment
Output Indicators
Budgetary Data Estimates
Target
Actual Project Completion
(Before project implementation)
P 1,692,081.12
- P 311,572.27
P 338,416.22
P 6,231.44
50
50
288
63
5
13
1) Posting/ ads
Minimal
Significant
2) accessibility of docs
Minimal
Minimal
None
Significant
1
8
300
1
19
360
5
5
200
400
590
600
24
40
100
1431
10
27
50
P 1,082,850.00
78
P 1,077,639.25
1) Amount of LGU expenses in excess of
allocation
2) Amount of LGU funds used to private
consumptions of oil, gasoline & repairs
Actual Vehicle Misuse Records
Reports Acted by the Government
Policies adopted and implemented
GPRA Compliance
3) Presence of 3rd-party observer
throughout the whole process
BAC GPRA Compliance Training
Photo-journalism contest participants
“Conscience Posters”
Inter-school short-play contest
1. Entries
2. Participants
Monthly Newsletter
“Bantay Kurapsyon” (Corruption Watch)
Radio Program
1. Weekly Programs
2. Calls/ text messages/ letters
Anti-Corruption Conference
1. CSO’s/ NGO’s
2. Participants
Total Expenses
Appendix 5: Draft City LGU Ordinance on Vehicle Use and Maintenance
Republic of the Philippines
Sangguniang Panlungsod
Oroquieta City
Region 10
RESOLUTION NO. ___-2007
ADOPTING CITY ORDINANCE NO. __-007 DEFINING THE GUIDELINES ON
THE USE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT VEHICLES, FUEL CONSUMPTION AND
AVIALMENT OF AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES
WHEREAS, Section 361, Chapter 4 (Use, Repair and Maintenance of Government
Vehicles), Title 6, Book III, Volume I of the Government Accounting and Auditing
Manual lays down the rules on the use of government vehicles and fuel consumption;
WHEREAS, it is noted that there has been a high rate of expenditures on fuel
consumption of City Government vehicles in the past three years;
WHEREAS, it is noted that there has been several reports of documented misuse of
vehicles by City government employees and officials by non-governmental
organizations;
WHEREAS, the use of City Government vehicles must be properly controlled and
regulated, and fuel consumption in relation thereto must be properly monitored;
WHEREFORE, this Ordinance setting the guidelines on the use of City Government
vehicles, fuel consumption, and availment of maintenance service is hereby adopted:
ORDINANCE NO. 00-2007
GUIDELINES ON THE USE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT VEHICLES, FUEL
CONSUMPTION AND AVIALMENT OF AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES
Be it enacted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, in session assembled, that:
Section 1. Definition of Terms.
A. Government Vehicle. Any motor vehicle, boat or other similar means of
transportation that is owned or leased by the City Government of Oroquieta including
those that have been purchased or maintained by the LGU.
B. Residence. The primary place where an employee resides and from which the
employee commutes to his/her place of employment.
C. Place of Employment. Any place within the accepted commuting area where an
employee performs his/her business, trade, or occupation even if the employee is there
only for a short period of time. The term includes, but is not limited to, an official duty
station, home base, headquarters, or any place where an employee is assigned to work
including locations where meetings, conferences, or other official functions take place.
D. Field Work. Official work performed by an employee whose job requires the
employee's presence at various locations that are at a distance from the employee's
place of employment or at a remote location that is accessible only by Governmentprovided transportation. The designation of a work site as a field office does not, of
itself, permit the use of a Government vehicle for home-to-work transportation.
Examples of employees involved in field work include, but are not limited to, health
inspectors, and certain law enforcement officers, whose jobs require travel to several
locations during the course of the work day.
E. Emergency. Circumstances which exist whenever there is an immediate,
unforeseeable, temporary need to provide home-to-work transportation for those
employees who are necessary to the uninterrupted performance of the agency's
mission. An emergency may occur where there is a major disruption of available means
of transportation to or from a work site, and essential Government service must be
provided, and there is no other way to transport an employee.
F. Private parties. Any individual, group or organization not connected through
employment or appointment with the City Government of Oroquieta and its
subordinate agencies.
Section 2. Coverage. - These guidelines shall apply to all vehicles of the City
Government of Oroquieta, including those of the barangays and national line agencies
subsidized and acquired through City Government funds, except the vehicle assigned to
the City Mayor and the City Vice- Mayor.
Section 3. Guidelines. - The following guidelines shall be observed in the use of
government vehicles, as well as fuel consumption and availment of automotive
maintenance services:
A. All Local government vehicles shall be used for official purposes only. Unless properly
and duly authorized prior to target date of use, the use of said vehicles on Saturdays,
Sundays, legal holidays, beyond the regular hours for going to and from the office, or
outside the route of the officials or employees authorized to use them is strictly
prohibited. All home-to-work vehicles shall be deposited at the City Hall Compound by
5:00 pm every Friday.
B. No Local Government vehicle shall be used for purely private social functions or for
other personal purposes, or for the spouse, children, relatives, or friends of the official
entitled thereto. The prohibited acts include dropping- off and fetching children and
family members in schools, family recreations, among others. All government vehicles
are likewise prohibited to be brought and parked in motels, club houses, beach resorts
during and beyond office hours except when an official business transaction or meeting
is taking place in such places on official time.
C. All Local Government vehicles not assigned for home –to-work transportation must
be kept in the City Hall’s compound after official office hours except when in use for
strictly official purposes as may be authorized by the City Mayor subject to other
provisions of this Ordinance.
D. The use of Government vehicles between an employee's residence and his/her place
of employment shall be limited to Heads of Offices; Administrative Officials; Employees
engaged in actual field work and law enforcement service duties when the use is
essential for the safe and effective performance of those duties; and other employees,
when use is in response to an emergency situation.
E. No casual employee shall be allowed to bring office vehicles to their homes after
regular daily office hours.
F. Requests to use Local Government vehicles not assigned to officials of the Local
Government shall be made by the Head of Office or his authorized representative. The
request shall be accomplished in a prescribed form as may be promulgated by the
Office of the General Services, stating therein the purpose of such travel.
f.1 The request shall be forwarded to the General Services Office. The Head of
Office of the General Services Office (GSO) shall order the driver of the
requested vehicle to fill up properly all required information in a prescribed
form, such as the quantity of fuel to be purchased before travel and the
quantity which was consumed after the use of said vehicle. A travel outside the
City on official time requires a travel order and approval by the Local Chief
Executive.
f.2 The Head of the GSO or duly designated personnel shall duly note in the said
form the fuel issued, purchased or consumed and the balance of fuel in the tank
at the end of the trip.
G. Requests to use any City Government vehicle by private parties shall require prior
approval by the City Mayor.
g1. An individual requesting to use any vehicle of the City Government must be
a permanent resident of the City of Oroquieta.
g2. Groups or institutions requesting to use any vehicle of the City Government
must be a non-governmental organization or people’s organization duly
accredited by the City Government prior to the date of request.
g3. All private individuals, groups or institutions requesting to use City
Government vehicles must shoulder all gasoline and other expenses including
per diem of driver as well as damages resulting from the actual use of the
individual, group or organization beyond proper standards.
g4. The use of such vehicles must not fall along the activities specified in
Paragraph B of this Section.
H. Requisitions for gasoline and diesel fuel for the use of any Local Government vehicle
shall be duly accomplished by the concerned Head of Office. The Office of the General
Services shall keep records of all gasoline and diesel fuel requisitions. No requisition for
gasoline or diesel shall be dispensed and paid by the City Government unless there has
been a prior approval.
In the case of officials and employees assigned with official home-to-work vehicles, a
corresponding prepaid card will be issued for the purpose. The monthly maximum
allowable quantity of fuel to be purchased by the City Government of Oroquieta for
the said officials shall be equivalent to the amount of their monthly transportation
allowance, which will be given in the form of prepaid cards. These cards will be
distributed effective 1 January 2008. Any unused or unspent portion of the prepaid
card shall be carried over to the succeeding month. In the event that the amount of
the prepaid card has been consumed before the end of the month, all gasoline
purchases will be charged against the account of the official concerned.
I. Gasoline expenses for official travels outside of Oroquieta City may be reimbursed if
the same is covered by a prior authority to travel approved by the City Mayor.
J. Electrical, mechanical and other related automotive services necessary to maintain
the roadworthiness of City Government vehicles, except those under warranty, should
be done only by the duly accredited service station, subject to the required pre-repair
inspection report duly approved by the City Mayor.
K. Effective 1 January 2008, the authorized gasoline and service station of the City
Government shall be GF Petron, Poblacion 2, Oroquieta City.
L. The Head of the GSO shall submit a monthly report of fuel consumption of all City
Government vehicles to the Commission on Audit, copy furnished the Office of the City
Mayor, City Administrator, and the Head of the Accounting and Budget Offices. A
copy of this report shall be readily made available to public access. The GSO shall
maintain a file of all the requests for the use of City Government vehicles and reports
on fuel consumption and availment of automatic maintenance services.
Section 4. Applicability of the General Accounting and Auditing Manual. Whenever applicable, the provisions of the General Accounting and Auditing Manual
shall govern.
Section 5. Complaints of Abuse of Privileges. Any resident of the City who has
prior information or knowledge of any form of abuse of vehicle privileges involving City
government officials and employees as specified in this Ordinance or any other
applicable law may file a complaint at City Mayor’s Office, which the latter shall act
immediately upon. He/she may also pursue such actions at other appropriate
government bodies.
Section 6. Penalties. Any government employee or official violating any of the
provisions of this ordinance shall be fined the amount of One Thousand Pesos
(P1000.00) and shall be recommended for appropriate administrative sanctions.
Home-to-work transportation privileges of such erring employee or official shall be
suspended for at least three months.
Section 7. Implementing Office. - The GSO must ensure compliance with these
Guidelines and other pertinent rules on the use of government vehicles and fuel
consumption. It shall promulgate the necessary implementing regulations and
prescribed forms consistent with this Ordinance. Law enforcement bodies are likewise
directed to apprehend and report anyone who violates the provisions of this Ordiance.
Section 5. Effectivity. - These guidelines shall take effect on the 1st day of January
2008.
Approved: October ___, 2007
CERTIFIED CORRECT:
HENRY J. FAMAS, MD
City Vice- Mayor
Sangguniang Panlungsod Presiding Officer
ATTESTED:
CONCEPCION N. MAISLING
Secretary to the Sanggunian
APPROVED:
ATTY. JORGE T. ALMONTE
City Mayor
Appendix 6: Selected Photo Documentations
Appendix 7: LGU Expenditure Data (Project Period)
OFFICE
City Mayor's Office
Sangguniang Panlungsod
City Planning & Development Office
General Services Office
City Accountant's Office
City Treasurer's Office
City Assessor's Office
City Prosecutor's Office
Phil. National Police
CLGOO- Dept. of the Interior and Local Govt.
City Health Office
City Social Welfare & Development Office
City Agriculture Office
City Engineer's Office
Market Operations
Department of Education- City Division
TOTAL
Approp june
2006
378,988.80
128,718.08
1,872.00
17,952.00
52,480.00
77,808.00
8,064.00
26,464.00
88,000.00
12,160.00
79,520.00
4,800.00
406,656.00
1,714,880.00
3,200.00
27,148.00
3,028,710.88
Expenses June
2006
592,170.00
201,122.00
2,925.00
28,050.00
82,000.00
121,575.00
12,600.00
41,350.00
137,500.00
19,000.00
124,250.00
7,500.00
635,400.00
2,679,500.00
5,000.00
30,850.00
4,720,792.00
APPROPRIATIONS INCLUDING SUPPLEMENTAL PROGRAM
1,184,340.00
402,244.00
5,850.00
56,100.00
164,000.00
243,150.00
25,200.00
82,700.00
275,000.00
38,000.00
248,500.00
15,000.00
1,270,800.00
5,359,000.00
10,000.00
61,700.00
9,441,584.00
Approp
June 2007
390,832.20
132,740.52
1,930.50
18,513.00
54,120.00
80,239.50
8,316.00
27,291.00
90,750.00
12,540.00
82,005.00
4,950.00
419,364.00
1,768,470.00
3,300.00
20,361.00
3,115,722.72
Expense June
2007
351,748.98
119,466.47
1,737.45
16,661.70
48,708.00
72,215.55
7,484.40
24,561.90
81,675.00
11,286.00
73,804.50
4,455.00
377,427.60
1,591,623.00
2,970.00
18,324.90
2,804,150.45
ACTUAL EXPENDITURES
1,146,807.00
390,084.24
3,797.36
55,499.77
163,034.86
234,602.86
24,980.96
64,504.34
237,121.81
22,425.15
248,274.39
2,972.42
1,218,385.29
5,358,653.80
7,014.00
61,669.82
9,239,828.07
Appropriations
BALANCES
37,533.00
12,159.76
2,052.64
600.23
965.14
8,547.14
219.04
18,195.66
37,878.19
15,574.85
225.61
12,027.58
52,414.71
346.20
2,986.00
30.18
201,755.93
Expenditures
City Mayor's Office
Sangguniang Panlungsod
City Mayor's Office
Sangguniang Panlungsod
City Planning & Development Office
General Services Office
City Planning & Development Office
General Services Office
City Accountant's Office
City Treasurer's Office
City Accountant's Office
City Treasurer's Office
City Assessor's Office
City Prosecutor's Office
City Assessor's Office
City Prosecutor's Office
Phil. National Police
CLGOO- Dept. of the Interior and Local Govt.
Phil. National Police
CLGOO- Dept. of the Interior and Local Govt.
City Health Office
City Social Welfare & Development Office
City Health Office
City Social Welfare & Development Office
City Agriculture Office
City Engineer's Office
City Agriculture Office
City Engineer's Office
Market Operations
Department of Education- City Division
Market Operations
Department of Education- City Division
Appendix 8: Case Study: A Councilor’s Ecstasy
Plate Number:
Make (Model):
Description:
SBE 219
KIA (1991)
Four-wheel, pick-up utility type, 4-seater comfort with stereo & good condition tires
Office Assignment:
Person Assigned:
Peace and Order Council (Office of the City Mayor)
Mr. Roberto Famacion, City Councilor
First Study Period:
Findings:
January 8- 14, 2007
It is pretty obvious that Mr. Roberto Famacion has abused his position as an elected City Councilor by using the vehicle 24 hours a
day at 7 days a week. He uses the vehicle in transporting farm inputs and water to his farm at Purok 2, Mobod, Oroquieta City
every morning. His farm is about 6 kilometers from his residence at Poblacion II, Oroquieta City. His vehicle is seen operating even
on weekends, used in going to church, family gatherings, and going to market. In monetary terms, an average of 141.29 pesos is
wasted everyday on excess gasoline consumption. In his three years term of office, he owes the People of Oroquieta City a total of
154,707.86 pesos corrupted through the expenditure of his gasoline for his personal use. Surely, a councilor’s life is an ecstasy for
this man.
Day
Total
Hours of
Actual
Operation
(Hours)
II
Monitoring
12
11
5
6
9
7
Excess
Hours of
Operation
(Hours)
Ave. Distance
Travel (Kms/
1 Hour)
Regular Max.
Distance
Travel
(Kms/Day)
Excess
Distance
Travel
(Kms/Day)
Gasoline
Efficiency
(5Kms/ 1 Liter)
Ave. Price of
Gasoline
(P43/ Liter)
Regular Cost
of Operation
(Pesos)
Cost of Corruption
(Pesos)
M
T
W
T
F
S
Max Hours
of
Allowable
Operation
(Hours)
I
8
8
8
8
8
8
0
III
(II) – (I)
4
3
1
7
IV
5 Kms/ Hour
5
5
5
5
5
5
V
(I) x (IV)
40
40
40
40
40
0
VI
(III) x (IV)
20
15
0
0
5
35
VII
5 Kms/ 1 Liter
5
5
5
5
5
5
VIII
P43
43
43
43
43
43
43
IX
(V) / (VII) x VIII
344.00
344.00
344.00
344.00
344.00
0.00
X
(VI) / (VII) x VIII
172.00
129.00
0.00
0.00
43.00
301.00
S
Total
0
40
8
58
8
23
5
35
0
200
40
115
5
43
0.00
1720.00
344.00
989.00
Second Study Period:
Findings:
Day
August 6-12, 2007
Total
Hours of
Actual
Operation
(Hours)
II
Monitoring
3
2
3
4
1
0
Excess
Hours of
Operation
(Hours)
Ave. Distance
Travel (Kms/
1 Hour)
Regular Max.
Distance
Travel
(Kms/Day)
Excess
Distance
Travel
(Kms/Day)
Gasoline
Efficiency
(5Kms/ 1 Liter)
Ave. Price of
Gasoline
(P43/ Liter)
Regular Cost
of Operation
(Pesos)
Cost of Corruption
(Pesos)
M
T
W
T
F
S
Max Hours
of
Allowable
Operation
(Hours)
I
8
8
8
8
8
8
0
III
(II) – (I)
-5
-6
-5
-4
-7
0
IV
5 Kms/ Hour
5
5
5
5
5
5
V
(I) x (IV)
40
40
40
40
40
0
VI
(III) x (IV)
-25
-30
-25
-20
-35
0
VII
5 Kms/ 1 Liter
5
5
5
5
5
5
VIII
P43
43
43
43
43
43
43
IX
(V) / (VII) x VIII
344.00
344.00
344.00
344.00
344.00
0.00
X
(VI) / (VII) x VIII
-215.00
-258.00
-215.00
-172.00
-301.00
0.00
S
Total
0
40
0
13
0
-27
5
35
0
200
0
-135
5
43
0.00
1720.00
0.00
-1161.00
On the period of August 6-12, 2007, another study of the same vehicle revealed that average operation per day is only 1.86 hours
giving the City of Oroquieta a savings of 1,161.00 pesos every week. This happens as the vehicle has already been transferred
assignment form Mr. Roberto Famacion to the City Vice- Mayor’s Office.
On the way to the farm on a Sunday... At the Market… At Home… Appendix 9: Final Audit Report
EXTERNAL AUDIT REPORT OF THE
ANTI-CORRUPTION AND TRANSPARENCY PROJECT OF
ECOLINK
The Partnership for Transparency Fund
Dear Sirs/ Mesdames:
I am glad to submit the audit report on the balance sheets of the Anti Corruption and
Transparency Project of the ECOLINK as of March 1, 2007 and the related statements of
expenses from December 2006 up to February 2007. These statements are the
responsibility of the ECOLINK. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audit.
The audit has been conducted in accordance to generally-accepted auditing standards in
the Philippines. These standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance that the statements are free of material misstatements. The audit
also includes assessing the financial system used by the ECOLINK. I believe that the
audit shows reasonable basis for my opinions.
In my opinion, the statements referred to above present fairly, in all respects, the financial
operations of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency project as of July 2007 and the cash
flows are following generally-accepted accounting principles.
Manuel Sy Ratunil, CPA
Board Certificate No. 20176
PTR No. 1755985-0207
TIN No. 155-464551
Oroquieta City
July 15, 2007
Final Audit- ECOLINK
FINANCIAL OPERATION
As of Project End July 2007
Receipts:
Total ECOLINK Equity from General Fund
P
Total PTF/WB/ADB Grants Received
290,000.00
719,517.30
Total Grants Receivable from PTF
73,100.00
Other Sources (Donations, Fund Raising, etc.)
66,000.00
1,148,617.3
Total Funds Received:
Less: Expenditures
December- February
481, 401.00
March-May
333,111.00
June- July
190,049.95
Total Liquidated Expenses:
P
Total Unliquidated Expenses:
0.00
Total Liabilities: (Aug-Oct)
73,077.30
Balance of ECOLINK Equity from General Fund
st
Balance of ACT- PTF/WB/ADB Grant (1 Tranch)
Balance of Funds from other Sources
1,004,561.95
4,978.05
0.00
66,000.00
Total Liabilities and Fund Balances:
P
144,055.35
Total:
P
1,148,617.3
Final Audit- ECOLINK
STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES
March 2007
Office Supplies:
ITEMS
AMOUNT
Acetate
Newsprint
Bond paper
Floor mat
Triton Latex
Brite wax
Office Supply
Folder Long
Ring Bind Holder
Triton Latex
F.4
PH
PH
FLB
Ribbon
Varnish
Cutter
Office Supply
Photo Paper
Plastic Cellophane
Office Supply
Illustration board
40.00
5.00
35.00
156.00
90.00
42.00
114.00
15.00
13.00
90.00
185.00
20.00
60.00
195.00
12.00
38.00
20.00
2,700.00
56.00
14.00
550.00
50.00
O.R. #
00864
00864
01222
09115
27733
27733
01241
10887
10887
27194
49229
140937
140973
140973
0039
205228
10860
01299
775827
10860
01301
00865
P
4,500.00
Transportation:
ITEMS
Fare
Fare
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Fare
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Fare to Pagadian City
Fare to Cagayan De Oro City
Gasoline
Gasoline
Fare
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
AMOUNT
20.00
20.00
120.00
66.00
67.00
1,575.00
120.00
120.00
30.00
4,500.00
2,000.00
40.00
40.00
140.00
120.00
30.00
40.00
150.00
260.00
O.R. #
739049
739050
01105867
10519
10666
Cv
31755
11498
16422
Cv
Cv
10136
10176
Cv
19928
10413
10480
0111310
19078
Final Audit- ECOLINK
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Fare
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
130.00
150.00
20.17
120.00
200.00
126.00
30.00
15977
10411
15425
Cv
1086
100008
15554
P
10,235.17
Communication:
ITEMS
AMOUNT
Internet
Internet
Internet
Internet
Internet
Call and Text card
Internet
Internet
Internet
Internet
Internet
Call and Text card
Internet
Internet
Internet
Call and Text card
Internet
Internet
Internet
Internet
10.00
40.00
15.00
40.00
20.00
4,272.00
25.00
40.00
40.00
60.00
25.00
2,245.00
15.00
20.00
45.00
955.00
50.00
45.00
25.00
31.00
O.R. #
0194
0186
0195
0191
0194
10012
0210
0219
0231
0232
0235
10020
0245
0251
0254
10033
0257
0261
0261
0261
P
8,118.00
Photojournalism Contest: finals
ITEMS
Awards
Snacks
Streamers
Medals
Transportation
Preparation Communication
Sound System
Venue
AMOUNT
27,000.00
4,500.00
750.00
350.00
4,500.00
5,000.00
4,500.00
3,500.00
O.R. #
Cv
1112-A
217
1212
Cv
Cv
1150-C
1150-C
P
50,100.00
AMOUNT
O.R. #
1150-C
1150-C
Short-play Competition (booking):
ITEMS
Venue ABC gym
Sound System
5,000.00
4,300.00
Final Audit- ECOLINK
Medals
Streamers
Snacks
Awards
Preparation Communication
284.00
500.00
4,000.00
37,000.00
4,093.00
11007
2192
1112-A
cv
cv
P
55,357.00
TWG Meeting:
ITEMS
AMOUNT
Snacks and meals of pax
2,000.00
O.R. #
1120
P
2,000.00
Others:
ITEMS
AMOUNT
Office Space
Audit Expenses
Electricity
5,000.00
5,000.00
706.25
Total Expenses:
O.R. #
n/a
10012
0468156
P
10,706.25
P
140,116.42
STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES
April 2007
Office Supplies:
ITEMS
Windows XP SP2
CD’s
Office Supply
13 rolls developed w/printer
13 pcs – 12 shots
Coupling ½
PUC TEE ½
Grand Piz.
Office Supply
Windows XP SP2
Britanira 2007 DVD
AMOUNT
100.00
400.00
1,000.00
1,834.00
910.00
5.00
9.00
537.00
95.00
180.00
180.00
O.R. #
N/a
N/a
Cv
2605
2524
5522
5522
5522
Cv
N/a
N/a
P
5,250.00
Transportation:
ITEMS
Fare
Gasoline
Gasoline
Fare to Cagayan De Oro City
Gasoline
Gasoline
AMOUNT
50.00
40.00
50.00
2,000.00
40.00
20.00
O.R. #
030113
51142
28166
cv
19794
19035
Final Audit- ECOLINK
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Fare to Cagayan De Oro City
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Fare
Fare
Fare to Pagadian City
Fare
Fare
Gasoline
Fare
Fare
Gasoline
Fare
Gasoline
Gasoline
Fare to Osamiz City
Gasoline
Fare
Gasoline
Fare
50.00
116
124.50
300.00
50.00
1,350.00
104.83
450.00
50.00
300.00
20.00
20.00
1,600.00
20.00
3.00
482.50
210.00
210.00
200.00
20.00
40.00
70.00
963.00
300.00
20.00
350.00
50.00
2046
19292
19984
35593
43419
cv
950978
067787
064838
044915
075656
327129
cv
750240
18818392
19226
269077
279689
26100
86875
96578
254653
cv
36175
327130
254717
278304
P
9,673.83
Communications:
ITEMS
Internet
Call Cards
Loads
AMOUNT
1000.00
9,982.00
185.00
O.R. #
8641
2112
49966
P
11,167.00
Meeting with the DILG Regional Director:
ITEMS
Meals
Snacks
Transportation
Accommodation
Communication
AMOUNT
7,500.00
4,500.00
3,871.00
2,500.00
1,500.00
O.R. #
11210
11210
cv
4450
cv
P
19,871.00
Snacks
Meals
AMOUNT
840.00
1,925.00
O.R. #
01982
0802106
P
2,765.00
TWG Meeting:
ITEMS
Final Audit- ECOLINK
Others:
ITEMS
Office Space
Water Bill
Electric Bill
AMOUNT
5,000.00
1,018.00
614.04
Total Expenses:
O.R. #
n/a
165623
0488712
P
6,632.04
P
55,358.87
STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES
May 2007
Office Supplies:
ITEMS
Corkboard
Pins, Thumb Tacks
Office Supply
1 pc. Cutting Pin
board PS/2
Office Supply
Office Supply
AMOUNT
286.00
31.50
2,500.00
178.00
350.00
1,500.00
454.50
O.R. #
13724
2659
20111
0693
0395
20126
20154
P
5,300.00
AMOUNT
O.R. #
Transportation:
ITEMS
Gasoline
Fare
Fare
Gasoline
Gasoline
Fare to Pagadian
Gasoline
Gasoline
Fare to Osamiz City
Gasoline
Gasoline
Fare to Osamiz City
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Fare to Cagayan De Oro City
50.00
20.00
20.00
50.00
30.00
3,112.00
50.00
50.00
1,500.00
50.00
40.00
500.00
50.00
50.00
50.00
50.00
3,440.00
2145
795371
795370
37443
38775
cv
2869
12114
cv
33957
37744
cv
2146
12569
37545
38505
cv
P
9,112.00
Final Audit- ECOLINK
Communications:
ITEMS
Call and Text Card
Internet
Call Card
Call and Text Card
Network Fee
AMOUNT
2,242.00
1000.00
90.00
1,345.00
323.00
O.R. #
10021
1121
9729
10111
33622
P
5,000.00
O.R. #
Snacks and Meals of pax
AMOUNT
3,235.00
TWG Meeting:
ITEMS
0121
P
3,235.00
3rd Expenditures Analysis Workshops:
ITEMS
Transportation of pax & facilitator
Per diem of facilitator
Documenter
Food & accom. Of pax
LCD rental
Workshop kits
AMOUNT
8,500.00
3,000.00
1,500.00
46,500.00
12,000.00
20,970.00
O.R. #
1210-A
cv
cv
1210-A
3106
cv
P
92,470.00
O.R. #
LCD rental
Food & accom. Of pax
Workshop kits
Transportation
Documenter
AMOUNT
7,500.00
4,500.00
2,300.00
889.00
1,200.00
AMOUNT
619.04
5,000.00
510.67
O.R. #
Electric Bill
Office Space
Electric Bill
Policy – formulation Workshops:
ITEMS
3115
1222-A
cv
cv
cv
P
16,389.00
Others:
ITEMS
Total Expenses:
N/A
N/A
0484263
P
6,129.71
P
137,635.71
STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES
June 2007
Office Supplies:
Final Audit- ECOLINK
ITEMS
17 pcs. Scan
2 packs silver laid paper
1 pc. Optimum ink refill
1 pair scissor
Plywood
3 pcs. Streamer
1 pc. Plywood
1 pc. Handle
Cd windows xp
1 liter triton maple
1 bottle thinner
1 pc. Brush
Beads small
Beads pearl
AMOUNT
1,170.00
94.00
650.00
35.00
229.00
1,220.00
180.00
120.00
900.00
98.00
29.50
46.00
10.00
14.00
O.R. #
2217
11884
485
11939
62126
1049
62306
17321
14564
17324
17324
17324
36419
36419
P
4,795.50
Transportation:
ITEMS
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Travel to Gen.San.
Travel to Pagadian
Fare
Fare
AMOUNT
400.00
300.00
500.00
300.00
6,000.00
3,038.00
42.00
18.00
O.R. #
28730
52181
961136
52479
cv 311
cv321
2154
n/a
P
10,598.00
Communication:
ITEMS
Cable TV network
Web page
Fax
Fax
GPRA Compliance Workshops:
ITEMS
Transportation of Facilitator
Transportation of Pax
Per Diem of Facilitator
Documentor
Food and Accom of Pax
LCD Rental
Training Kits
AMOUNT
320.00
1,110.00
116.00
138.00
AMOUNT
5,000.00
11,000.00
3,000.00
1,500.00
30,000.00
12,000.00
9,729.00
O.R. #
34674
1399-16586
6190
6191
P
1,684.00
O.R. #
cv 342
cv 346
cv 347
cv348
10010
10010
cv351
P
81,771.00
TWG Meeting:
Snacks and meals of pax
2,000.00
P
2,000.00
Legislative Consultation:
Final Audit- ECOLINK
ITEMS
Meals
LCD rental and sound system
Photocopying
Transportations
Snacks
AMOUNT
11,700.00
3,000.00
238.00
462.00
2,000.00
Total Expenses:
O.R. #
10012
10012
2146
n/a
10012
P
17,400.00
P
118,248.50
STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES
July 2007
Office Supplies:
ITEMS
1/2 sheet styro
2 pcs. Cartolina
2 bottles tulcraft
2 tubes metallic dust
1 pc. Glue sticks
1 pc. Paint brush
1 rm. A4 bond paper
1 magazine rack
5 bottles thinner
1 pc. Paint brush
1 varnish
1 star wax
5 rms. Short bond paper
5 rms. Long bond paper
5 rms. A4 bond paper
20 expanded envelop
1 pc. Optimum ink refill Black
Linen Paper
2 whiteboard marker
Pilot refill
10 brown envelop
5 pcs. Ball pen
10 cartolina
2 pcs. CD R
35 pcs. Transparent paper
Staple wire
Cellophane cover
AMOUNT
60.00
15.00
65.00
100.00
3.00
15.00
479.00
478.00
380.00
23.50
38.50
71.00
975.00
900.00
950.00
160.00
600.00
97.50
116.00
150.00
80.00
30.00
70.00
70.00
350.00
35.00
43.00
O.R. #
36496
36496
36496
36496
36496
23269
37581
3686
211603
211603
211603
43202106
2145
2145
2145
2145
2145
2145
2145
122014
122014
980
214541
214541
989
214588
214588
P
6,354.50
Transportation:
ITEMS
Fare
Fare
Fare
AMOUNT
23.00
24.00
74.00
O.R. #
n/a
322
214
Final Audit- ECOLINK
Fare
Fare
21.00
114.00
n/a
1240
P
256.00
O.R. #
6199
197
1173
542
638
9851
1205
P
9,813.00
Communication:
ITEMS
Fax
Internet
Print (uaf)
Call & text cards
Call & text cards
Load wallet
Call & text cards
AMOUNT
280.00
999.00
560.00
2,345.00
3,646.00
500.00
1,483.00
Exit Conference:
ITEMS
Meals and Snacks of Pax
Venue Rental
LCD Rental
Printing of References/ Handouts
Transportation
Accommodation
Preparation Communication
AMOUNT
16,808.00
2,000.00
2,000.00
6,458.00
9,850.00
1,800.00
3,542.00
O.R. #
1049
8033
1701
2152
cv
8033
4512/ 33330
P
42,458.00
TWG Meeting:
ITEMS
Snacks and meals of pax
AMOUNT
2,000.00
O.R. #
1121
P
2,000.00
Others:
ITEMS
Electric bill
Office space
AMOUNT
919.95
5,000.00
O.R. #
20442710
CV
P
5,919.95
ITEMS
Expenses
AMOUNT
5,000.00
O.R. #
87577
P
5,000.00
Audit Expenses:
Total Expenses:
P
71,801.45
Final Audit- ECOLINK
AUDIT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. The ECOLINK has been observing its Internal Financial Management System that
follows generally-accepted principles and procedures including, among others, cash
disbursement and receipt as well as recording systems.
2. All recommendations in the previous audit have been carried out.
3. There are some inconsistencies in the data in CV but these are rationally negligible and
do not cause any irregularity in the financial records.
4. My wishes for the project’s success and continued service to the community.
5. More power and God bless!
Final Audit- ECOLINK