by JPA/CAL/DILG/PIA9/Zambo Sur
PAGADIAN CITY — Local chief executives who fail or refuse to comply with the government-initiated Full Disclosure Policy (FDP) on their financial transactions could be involved in irregularities in handling of local funds.
Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo said on Tuesday's Tapatan Roadshow on FDP attended and participated in by more than 500 local chief executives, local sanggunian members, non-government organizations, civil society groups, and other stakeholders held in Iloilo City.
There is nothing wrong with the government's Full Disclosure Policy if local chief executive are not hiding anything from their constituents. Naturally, if they won't make public their financial transactions, their constituents would suspect them of being involved in irregularity," the DILG chief explained.
According to Robredo, local executives should not resist complying with FDP since this is just a tool to help them improve their credibility and at the same time improve the outcome of the delivery of their services.
The FDP policy is anchored on the principle under the 1987 Constitution that guarantees the people's right to information and was based on the Local Government Code, the 2010 General Appropriation Act and issuances by the Commission on Audit (COA).
It requires local government units to post their budget and finances on their websites, print media and conspicuous places in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
Earlier, DILG-9 Regional Director Paizal Abutazil during the PIA weekly Media Forum held on June 28 disclosed, that in Region IX only the towns of Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte and Vincenzo Sagun, Zamboanga del Sur has complied with the FDP under criteria A of the department as stipulated in Memo Circular 2011-8 dated January 13, 2011.
Which means 13 out of 13 local documents are posted at conspicuous places, print media and at the website as required by the memo circular.
On the other hand, under criteria B of the FDP which requires that local documents should be posted on conspicuous places and at the web site, it's
only Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay and the municipality of Salug, Zamboanga del Norte in the entire region complied with the new policy.
FDP compliance is one step to enable an LGU to acquire a Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) which is a ticket for them to be granted P1million or more grant under the DILG's Performance Challenge Fund that has a P500 million budget annually.
Robredo further said the compliance to FDP is a vehicle to endear the local chief executives to their constituents who would be enlightened and empowered to know how their locality is being run and how the taxpayer's money are being spent.
"To the incumbents (LCEs), this FDP policy will serve you well. Being transparent and accountable officials will enable you to muster your constituents' support and getting the votes later," Robredo added.
