Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 22) — The Interior Department is now looking into barangays’ financial practices, particularly their cash withdrawals.
“[T]initignan na din namin yung pananalapi ng barangay pati iyong sistema ng pagwi-withdraw ngayon,” said Interior Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño in a virtual briefing. “Dahil marami kaming complaint na natanggap dito na just a simple certification ni Kapitan, the treasurer can withdraw all the money in the bank.
[Translation: We’re also looking into barangays’ finances along with their system when it comes to withdrawal. We have been receiving a lot of complaints saying the treasurer can withdraw all the (barangay’s) money in the bank with just a simple certification from the barangay captain.]
Citing his own experience as barangay captain for nearly 13 years, Diño said barangay treasurers may only withdraw the barangay’s funds with after a Barangay Council resolution authorizes it. Without this document, which is signed by the barangay kagawad or village councilors, treasurers should not be able to proceed with any withdrawals.
“The treasurer can withdraw sa depository bank ng mga barangay, tapos ang liquidation gagawin na lang sa end of the year,” according to the complaints, he lamented.
[Translation: The treasurer can withdraw from the depository banks, with liquidation being done only at the end of the year.]
Citing the Commission on Audit, the Interior official said a lot of barangays haven’t been doing any liquidating. They must do so lest they want to face cases, he added, noting barangays should explain where the money after being withdrawn.
“Magpapalabas na rin kami ng mga inventory para malaman namin kung saan dinala ang pera ng barangay. Lalung-lalo na dito sa Metro Manila, ang laki-laki ng mga pondo ng barangay dito, milyun-milyon,” Diño said, adding the funds of some barangays in the region even reach almost ₱190 million yearly.
[Translation: We will order the release of inventories so that we know where barangays are placing their money. Especially here in Metro Manila, the funds of barangays here are worth millions (of pesos).]
