DILG chief tells LGUs: open ‘books’ or face sanctions

MANILA– Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo on Wednesday asked local government unit (LGU) executives to open their financial books or else, non-compliance with the full disclosure policy of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) would warrant administrative sanctions.

Full disclosure policy requires local government units to post their budgets and finances, and bids and public offerings in government websites, newspapers of general circulation, and in other conspicuous and appropriate places.

Adherence to the policy is now compulsory, as provided by Section 90 of Republic Act 10147 or the General Appropriations Act of 2011.

“This is a big step towards ensuring that government resources are used responsibly and for the right purpose,” said Robredo.

He said failure to comply with the policy would merit disciplinary actions in accordance with existing laws.

In a directive to provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, presiding officers of local legislative councils and the ARMM regional governor, the DILG chief said that non-compliance with the full disclosure policy may subject concerned local officials to suspension or removal from office on the ground of gross negligence or dereliction of duty in accordance with Section 60 of the Local Government Code of 1991.

“We want to strictly adhere with the full disclosure policy because we want to uphold transparency and accountability in government in keeping with President Aquino’s principles on good governance. More importantly, we hope that through this reform, we will be able to improve our services to the people,” Robredo said.

A Commission on Audit (COA) memorandum also includes compliance with the full disclosure policy among the requirements in the auditing process.

Documents and transactions that are required to be posted by LGUs include the following: Annual Budget Report; Quarterly Statement of Cash Flows; Statement of Receipts and Expenditures; Trust Fund (PDAF) Utilization; Quarterly Report of SEF (Special Education Fund) Utilization; and 20 Percent Component of the IRA Utilization, among others.

Robredo added that a local government unit without a website should post the required information on the website of the DILG regional office concerned or on www.dilg.gov.ph, the website of DILG central office.