GOVERNMENT auditors have required the Department of Tourism (DOT) and its regional officials to submit support documents to justify P3.84 million in expenses incurred in 2021 that were tagged in audit as “irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant, and unconscionable.”
Among the questioned transactions were bookings for accommodations and meals in five-star hotels and resorts, canceled reservations that were still paid, travel expenses, mobile phone and internet bills, and cash assistance to a private organization.
The breakdown of the expense report showed P1.534 million was released by the Office of the Secretary as financial assistance to Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), a private organization, but this was charged against the DOT’s budget allocation for foreign trips.
“(The) financial assistance provided by the DOT-OSec to PATA was charged against the budget for Traveling Expenses-Foreign rendering the transaction irregular in nature not being within its intended purpose,” the audit team said.
Likewise, it noted that no official receipt was issued for the cash assistance, the dates on the supporting documents were inconsistent, and the amount disbursed exceeded the obligated sum by P61,538.87.
Also questioned was the P697,854 spent by DOT-Region 1 Office during the Ridge and Reef Travel Corridor launch on October 19 to 22, 2020 during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Auditors said lunch was set at P1,100 per head for 60 persons at the Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel but “room issues” resulted in the transfer of other participants to the Bellagio Hills Hotel also charged against the government.
A lunch reservation at a mountain resort was cancelled due to bad weather, necessitating a move to another venue. DOT paid for both, including the one that was called off.
Conferences and out-of-town activities by the DOT were also found to have exceeded the allowable amount under Executive order No. 77 by P449,150 for accommodations and P95,300 for meals.
Likewise, auditors said the list of DOT officials and employees who joined the presidential visit in Boracay and the PATA Virtual Adventure Travel Conference were not submitted together with the disbursement vouchers.
The Commission on Audit said the DOT OSec and the Regional Offices concerned must submit documents to show the validity and regularity of the questioned transactions.
“Otherwise, demand full refund of the amounts considered as irregular, unnecessary, unconscionable, excessive, and extravagant in nature,” the COA said.
