Some officials of the Bohol Poverty Reduction Management Office (BPRMO) are in hot water after the Commission on Audit (COA) found discrepancies in the utilization of a P2-million financial assistance given to a local federation of cooperatives.

Pedro Paumig, Jr., audit team leader declared that per findings uncovered, P396,398.65 was unaccounted, aside from the alleged misuse of funds and cash advances derived from the P2 million fund assistance released by the office of the governor and a capital build-up of P325,200 contributed by the 20 members of the federation.

The financial assistance of P2 million was released in full on April 11, 2005, instead of tranches contrary to the above regulation, according to the COA report. The fund support was intended to the Federation of BPRMO Agricultural Cooperatives for Eastern Bohol.

When asked to comment, Antonieto "Boy" I. Pernia, BPRMO chief told the Chronicle the P2 million fund assistance was released in April 2005 when he was not yet connected with the BPRMO." He assumed as BPRMO chief in March 2006.

"We discovered the irregularity only when I called COA to audit the P200,000 fund intended for training, while saying that any attempt to link me to the anomaly will never prosper," he stressed.

"The truth will hurt some people working in the federation," he continued.

In fact, Pernia in his letter dated May 11, 2007 requested a special audit of projects after receiving reports on the irregularities of some projects prepared and assisted by their field officers in their respective areas. He addressed his request to Jerome Maniwang, head of internal audit system.

In June 30, 2007, Pernia issued a suspension order on the operation of the federation until such time an audited financial report shall be submitted to his office and to the Commission on Audit. He issued the written suspension order to Matilde Campoamor, board chairman of the federation of cooperatives.

Upon receiving the COA report, Pernia ordered Limboy to comment on the COA audit findings and comment on the alleged discrepancies noted in the report.

MISUSED FUND

The P2 million financial assistance was intended for the following: P500,000 for consumers, P500,000 for vegetables and fruits, P500,000 for livestock/poultry, P500,000 for fabrication.

However, COA found out that the actual expenses incurred by the federation were instead used for the following: purchase of delivery truck, P507,728.25; purchase of merchandise, P428,192.75; purchase of cell phones P62,980.00; meals/travel allowance, P34,759.00; gasoline, P26,420.00; Smart bills, P1,000.

COA also discovered cash advances made by Nestor Nacua, federation treasurer amounting to P438,192.75 and to Matilde Campoamor, chairman of the federation amounting to P153,000.00. The cash advances which totaled to P438,192.75 has to be refunded by both federation offcials.

The acquisition of a delivery truck worth P507,528.25 was irregular, the COA report stated which has to be refunded.

PROBE TEAM FORMED

Gov. Aumentado, who has been working double time in his poverty alleviation drive created an investigating team last week to look into the fund mess.

Provincial Attorney Handel Lagunay chairs the team which conducted its preliminary investigation last Friday. In the probe body are Romy Teruel, human resource development officer; Joseth Celocia, accountant and Primitiva Ontong, asst treasurer.

Pernia was originally included in the composition of the probe team. However, he inhibit himself while assuring that he will appear before the investigating body once he will be asked to shed light on the fund anomaly.

Lagunay said Limboy who appeared during last Friday's investigation admitted of the cash shortage of P200,000 but said she almost completed to refund the amount. She committed to bring to the probe team the liquidation how the amount was used.

The Lagunay team asked Matilde Campoamor and Rommel Macalolot to appear during the next meeting set on March 14. Pernia might also be invited during the same date agreed by the team.