The stringent requirements of the Commission on Audit may cause the non-release of the P25 million loan by the city government to purchase closed-circuit television cameras, and other equipment to bolster the campaign against criminality in Dumaguete.

In the meeting of the City Peace and Order Council yesterday, City Legal officer Neil Ray Lagahit expressed confidence that the Finance Committee will be able to submit substantial requirements to comply with the COA audit findings last year.

Lagahit told the CPOC members the P25 million loan, approved by Dumaguete Sangguniang Panlungsod three months ago, had been approved by the Development Bank of the Philippines central office pending the submission of a document that awaits the resolution of disallowances issued by the COA, with some being appealed in the regional office.

He said the Bureau of Local Government Finance in Cebu was required to issue a certification that the city has the capacity to contract or pay the loan.

But the BLGF could not issue the certification unless the local COA auditor certifies that the city government of Dumaguete has complied with, or fulfilled all COA findings and observations in 2013.

The city awaits the result of its appeal on COA disallowances and if denied in the region, will go to COA in Manila, and the Supreme Court.*JG

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