DILG-Ifugao checks full disclosure policy of LGUs

By Dan B. Codamon

LAGAWE, Ifugao --The Department of Interior and Local Government here is closely monitoring implementation of the Full Disclosure Policy established by former DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo.

Municipal Local Government Operations Officer WilbertoUmalco said that they are now nearing the completion of their evaluation and assessment of all the municipalities of Ifugao on compliance with the  policy which requires all local chief executives to follow the guidelines on period of posting required financial documents as mandated by the full disclosure policy.

Umalco said the result of their assessment of the municipalities will also determine whether the concerned LGU complied and therefore qualify  for the incentives under the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) program of the DILG for 2012 . 

This will entitle the municipality to the award of P2 million worth of infrastructure projects  under  the Performance Challenge Fund of the  SGH program.

Under the Full Disclosure Policy, LGUs are mandated to post annually in their bulletin boards their local budget and finances and their bids and public offerings which have been considered and proven as an effective measure against the commission of graft and corruption in government.

The annual budget report must be posted on or before January 20 of each year or not later than 20 days after the approval by the local Sangguniang, the Statement of Debt Services 20 days after the approval by the local chief executive (LCE) of the Statement of Debt Services Annual Report, the Statement of Receipts and Expenditures  20 days after approval by the LCE of the Statement of Receipts and Expenditures Annual Report and the Quarterly Statement of Cash Flow within 20 days after the end of every quarter.

For Procurement Reports, the Annual Procurement Plan or Procurement List must be posted on or before January 31 of each year, the Items to Bid within the prescribed  period under the Government Procurement Reform Act, the Bids Results on Civil Works, Goods and Services and Consulting Services within the prescribed period under the Procurement Act,  the Abstract of Bids as Calculated also within the prescribed period under the Procurement Act and the Supplementary Procurement Plan not later than 20 days after the approval by the Head of Procuring Unit.

Under the Special Purpose Fund Reports consisting of the Special Education Fund (SEF) Income and Expenditure Estimates must be posted 20 days after the approval by the Local School Board of the SEF Income and Expenditure Annual Report, the Report of SEF Utilization 20 days after the end of each quarter, the Annual GAD Accomplishment Report not later than the end of January of the ensuing year, the Trust Fund Utilization 20 days after the end of each quarter, the 20% Component of the IRA Utilization 20 days after the end of each quarter and the Report of Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund Utilization 20 days after the end of each quarter.

All documents must remain posted until the first quarter of the ensuing year and the glass-covered bulletin boards containing the said documents must not be locked to allow the general public to view and read each and every page of every financial document.