Twenty-seven (27) Local Government Unit (LGU) Accountants from their respective municipalities, cities, and provinces attended the coordination meeting to discuss issues on the submission of liquidated reports and other financial-related matters regarding the implementation of DILG infrastructure projects last October 22 at Villa Amor Hotel, City of Koronadal.

RD Josephine Cabrido-Leysa, CESO V graced the occasion to deliver the opening remarks wherein she echoed the usual predicament of LGUs regarding liquidating funds from National Government Agencies. She quoted SILG Eduardo M. Año who lamented that the liquidation process “takes time.” Dir. Leysa stated that the Secretary’s observation is legitimate and it reflects the sad reality about the issue. She added: “there are times when the implementing LGUs have already submitted their liquidation reports to their respective COAs but failed to forward a copy of the said report to the DILG.”

Nonetheless, RD Leysa enjoined the LGU Accountants and/or their representatives to hasten the process of liquidation not only to bolster transparency in fund accounting, but also to reap the awards and benefits that come with it.

Engr. Herminia S. Ontoy, the Project Development Management Unit (PDMU) Chief, gave a short introduction and rationale in conducting the coordination meeting.

Verna Roz Q. Taperla, the PDMU Financial Analyst then proceeded to discuss the general guidelines in the submission of liquidation reports, specifically the original Statement of Receipts and Disbursements (SORDs) duly received by the Commission on Audit (COA). The schedules for submission as well as a guide in issuing checks for unutilized funds were also conveyed before each of the present LGUs’ outstanding balances were given out.

Since they were requested to bring the latest SORDs with them, several LGUs submitted the necessary documents to update their balances, while others sought out to reconcile their balances with that of the Department’s before the meeting came to a close.