Nayong Pilipino may become penniless in 6 years–COA
The Ang Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF), within six to seven years' time, may no longer have funds to continue its operations given their lack of alternative sources of income as per an annual audit report by the Commission on Audit (COA).
NPF is a Manila-based non-profit government organization that operates under the Department of Tourism (DOT). Since 1972, it has been tasked with promoting research and development in the fields of social sciences and humanities.
“There is uncertainty in the ability of NPF to continue its operations in the future considering the absence of alternative sources of revenue, the funds for its operations would be fully depleted within six to seven years,” said the COA in their audit released Monday, June 6.
COA reckoned it was doubtful that operations of the NPF were effective and efficient as the audit body found that the programs, activities, and projects (PAPs) of the NPF were both insufficient and absent.
“In addition, expenditures relative to the implementation of PAPs totaling P7.520 million only represent 14 and 7 per cent of the total Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses and Total Current Expenses, respectively,” the audit report said.
As a result, COA urged the NPF to develop PAPS in line with the “mandated purpose” of the NPF and to explore alternate sources of income generation so as to continue the operations of the NPF beyond the projected six to seven years left.
Furthermore, COA also flagged the NPFs continued practice of hiring Contract of Service (COS) or contractual workers despite the presence of equivalent regular or plantilla positions within the organization, explaining that the practice went against CSC (Civil Service Commission)-COA-DBM (Department of Budget and Management) Joint Circular No. 2 series of 2020.
It also added that some contractual workers were performing roles essential to the NPF, roles that did not have regular equivalents within the organization.
Thus, COA recommended that the NPF encourage their COS employees to apply for regular positions, and that the NPF themselves refrain from hiring COS personnel. A review of the organization's staff pattern was also urged in order to absorb the COS personnel performing regular functions.