By Ben Rosario
The Commission on Audit has questioned the reasonableness of the P23.7 million fuel consumption of the Department of National Defense last year.
“The reasonableness of the fuel consumed amounting to P23,784,459.65 cannot be ascertained due to the failure of management to strictly enforce the proper preparation of the Daily Trip Tickets before using the government vehicle,” COA said in the 2017 annual audit report for the DND.
Commission on Audit
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Auditors blamed DND’s issuance of 212 fleet cards to officials and personnel for the agency’s failure to justify the huge expenses for fuel consumption. Aside from daily trip tickers, monthly report of fuel consumption was likewise not submitted to COA, thus, violating COA Circular 77-61. DND, it was noted, spent funds for fuel of official vehicles amounting to P1,878,779.83 to as high as P4,343,853.43, which is the December consumption. “Review of the supporting documents requested and those attached to the disbursement vouchers showed that the required documents and reports for monitoring the fuel consumption were not accomplished as prescribed by the manual on audit for Fuel Consumption of Government Motor Vehicles,” COA reported. Audit examiners noted that the issuance of fleet cards to qualified personnel had been the practice of the DND management. Last year, Petron was assigned as the fuel supplier. “With the use of the fleet cards, management may not be able to control the utilization/consumption of fuel unless proper documentation is required to be submitted,” COA stated. To control fuel consumption and ensure that the use of fuel supply is properly documented, COA ordered the preparation and submission of trip tickets or issuance of certification in case travel are “confidential in nature.” COA also ordered the formulation of guidelines on the use of DND motor vehicles. Reacting to the audit observation, the DND assured that the issuance of trip tickets for official travels using DND vehicles is already being observed. The DND also explained that the preparation of monthly report of fuel consumption has been discontinued “due to the transfer of fuel distribution from DND proper” to the regular dealer.”
Commission on Audit(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Auditors blamed DND’s issuance of 212 fleet cards to officials and personnel for the agency’s failure to justify the huge expenses for fuel consumption. Aside from daily trip tickers, monthly report of fuel consumption was likewise not submitted to COA, thus, violating COA Circular 77-61. DND, it was noted, spent funds for fuel of official vehicles amounting to P1,878,779.83 to as high as P4,343,853.43, which is the December consumption. “Review of the supporting documents requested and those attached to the disbursement vouchers showed that the required documents and reports for monitoring the fuel consumption were not accomplished as prescribed by the manual on audit for Fuel Consumption of Government Motor Vehicles,” COA reported. Audit examiners noted that the issuance of fleet cards to qualified personnel had been the practice of the DND management. Last year, Petron was assigned as the fuel supplier. “With the use of the fleet cards, management may not be able to control the utilization/consumption of fuel unless proper documentation is required to be submitted,” COA stated. To control fuel consumption and ensure that the use of fuel supply is properly documented, COA ordered the preparation and submission of trip tickets or issuance of certification in case travel are “confidential in nature.” COA also ordered the formulation of guidelines on the use of DND motor vehicles. Reacting to the audit observation, the DND assured that the issuance of trip tickets for official travels using DND vehicles is already being observed. The DND also explained that the preparation of monthly report of fuel consumption has been discontinued “due to the transfer of fuel distribution from DND proper” to the regular dealer.”