AT least P12.4 million was released by the past city administration to fund city fiestas from 2010 to 2012 despite a ruling from the Commission on Audit (COA) disallowing the release of public money for fiestas.

Records of the City Accounting Office (CAO) made public last November 27 by City Budget Officer Luz de Guzman showed P2.050 million was released from the city coffer in 2010, P7.4 million in 2011 and P2.8 million in 2012.

The financial assistance for 2010 and 2011 fiestas were released to the fiesta executive committee, whose chair and members are appointed by the mayor.

In 2012, the fund was released to accountable officials of  the city government.

Despite these financial assistance, the fiesta executive committees did not remit any amount to the city earned from the holding of trade and food fairs and similar activitie.

In 2010, the P2.050 million were released on two occasions, an initial P2 million to the Fiesta Executive Committee and another P50,000 was received by City Market Supervisor Aguedo Sta. Maria “to defray various expenses for the promotion of culture and arts.”

In 2011, when the fiesta executive committee chairman was then Liga ng mga Barangay and ex-officio Councilor Guillermo Vallejos, the  P7.4 million made available for fiesta expenses were released on three occasions, all to Vallejos.

The first was on Dec. 16 in the amount of P5 million; Dec. 22, P2 million “to defray various activities in promoting culture arts and tourism”; and another P498,000 at a later date.

In 2012, the P2.8 million financial assistance from the city was released in the form of cash advance to city officials who were covered by surety bonds presumably for the use of the fiesta executive committee.

The initial amount of P1 million was released to then City Budget Officer Virgil Tangco, who is now retired; another P1.8 million to Assistant City Treasurer Alex Hortaleza; and anorther P70,000 to one Marivic Melecio.

ILLEGAL RELEASE

Noting that some of those who received cash advances for fiestas have already submitted their liquidation papers, Pangasinan Press Club president Gonzalo Duque, a lawyer, said liquidation is only part of the issue but the release of funds per se is illegal.

Duque called on COA and the city government through the City Legal Office to make the involved officials – including the persons who received the funds, the city accountant, the budget officer, the treasurer and the city mayor — liable for violating COA rules.

In this year’s city fiesta with lawyer Liberato Reyna Jr., president of the Dagupan People’s Organization, as hermano mayor, the city government has decided not to release any fund for the celebration.

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