THE Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Offices (DARPO) of Albay and Iloilo have failed to convince the Commission on Audit to lift notices of disallowance (NDs) issued against extra compensation paid to their officials and employees totaling P7.85 million in 2012.
In separate decision released last March 9, the COA Commission Proper denied petitions for review filed by DARPO-Albay and DARPO-Iloilo as it declared that it was illegal for both offices to draw allowances from money intended for the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
The CARP Fund, designated as Fund 158 in the Bureau of Treasury, was created under RA 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law signed in 1988.
“Fund 158 is created for the beneficiaries of the CARP which is being administered by the DAR (Department of Agrarian Reform). The use of the fund is confined to the purpose of the law, which is for the payment of compensation to landowners and the payment of expenses involved in the implementation of CARP support services,” the COA said.
Records showed DARPO-Albay used P4.574 million from Fund 158 to pay its officials and employees Personnel Welfare Incentive/Economic Assistance and Healthcare/Medical Allowance.
Held liable in the NDs were provincial agrarian reform officers Romulo Britanico and Salve Tongco; acting budget officer Ma. Elena Miraflor; chief agrarian reform program officer Minda Pineda; accountant Erlinda Bragais; and DARPO-Albay personnel.
“(T)he certifying, authorizing and approving officers and the employees who received the (stipend) shall be solidarily liable to refund the amount disallowed. The recipients are obliged to return the amounts they received there being no valid basis or justification to receive the same,” the commission said.
On the other hand, DARPO-Iloilo’s payment of Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) incentive for 2012 amounted to P3.276 million.
The COA said the DAR provincial official’s appeal was filed beyond the reglementary period. Without substantial justification for the delay, it refused to allow the petition for review due course.
However, it pointed out that even if weighed on merits, the DARPO-Iloilo’s petition would still be denied since it failed to raise new and material evidence that would warrant a second look.
“Clearly, the CARP Fund cannot be utilized for purposes other than the payment of compensation to landowners and expenses involved in the implementation of support services. Not being included in the specific purposes, …the payment of CNA Incentive cannot be charged against the CARP Fund,” the COA said.
Other than having to return the money, records of the fund releases would also be turned over to the Office of the Ombudsman for investigation if there is probable cause to indict officials who are responsible for approving the extra pay.
