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CDC recalls issued vehicles, orders review of policies on vehicles, staff houses use
CDC recalls issued vehicles, orders review of policies on vehicles, staff houses use
The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) said it has ordered the recall of vehicles which were provided to members of its Board of Directors (BODs).
This was after the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged the government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) for providing its BODs with service vehicles, accommodation, and bicycles.
The COA latest audit report said that the CDC procured 13 units of brand-new service vehicles for the official use of its top officials and members of the Board on Aug. 20, 2020.
In a statement, the CDC said it is more cost effective for the BODs to use the transient houses rather than stay in hotels or other accommodations, as directors need to travel in safety and to have a place to stay when in Clark.
“The CDC, like all other GOCCs and government agencies, abides by and is guided by the observations of COA. We will comply with EO No. 24 series of 2011. Executive Order 24 sets the guidelines on the compensation of directors of government corporations,” it said.
The CDC management also clarified that the aggregated amount of P1.23 million spent for utilities during the stay of the directors “does not represent a uniform assessment of expenses.”
“The management has already ordered the recall of the vehicles which will be pooled for the use of the entire organization. In an executive session, a majority of the board members signified the willingness to lease the houses themselves so they can continue to have a safe place to stay when in Clark,” it said.
The management said it has issued an order to deduct the overpayment from the succeeding reimbursements of the two directors who were found out to have exceeded the reimbursable Representation Allowance and Transportation Allowance (RATA).
The statement also noted that CDC President and CEO PBGen Manuel R. Gaerlan (Ret.) directed management to review CDC’s policies on the use of vehicles and staff houses by individuals and government offices, “including the COA auditor who enjoys the same privilege.”
In its report, COA also called out CDC for procuring 10 mountain bikes and five units of road/gravel bicycles worth P487,250 when eight of the bicycles were permanently deployed to CDC officials for personal use and only seven units were made available for general use.
The bikes were acquired supposedly “to promote a healthy lifestyle among its personnel during the time of pandemic.”
The CDC management said it has appealed for the reconsideration of the COA observation.
“The Clark main zone is 80-85 percent bike ready. There are also mountain bike trails popular to local tourists around the natural surroundings of Clark. The directors do not receive any compensation for their bike days but they embraced the concept,” it said.
“he role of the board members is not limited to attending meetings alone nor their performance is measured by the number of meetings held in a year,” Gaerlan said in the statement.