By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – The Commission on Audit (COA) has ordered Sagay City Treasurer Juvy Pinongan to liquidate ₱22 million in Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) funds within 30 days.
This directive came after the COA and the city government discovered that the vault in the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) was empty when it was opened on October 4 in the presence of Mayor Narciso Javelosa, City Legal Office (CLO) staff, and CTO personnel, according to City Administrator Ryan Bonghanoy.
Pinongan is under scrutiny for failing to distribute the remaining ₱7.3 million of the ₱22 million HEA meant for health workers who served during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bonghanoy said the COA demanded that Pinongan liquidate and account for the funds before the vault was opened.
“Whatever the result after 30 days, COA will decide, while the local government will prepare an administrative case,” Bonghanoy said.
Pinongan could face criminal charges if she fails to account for the amount within the deadline.
Javelosa said Pinongan had previously claimed she forgot the combination to the vault where the money was allegedly stored. However, the vault was opened last Friday using the combination lock, Bonghanoy said.
In a statement, Javelosa assured that the city government is taking decisive action to investigate the missing HEA funds.
“We are working closely with the Civil Service Commission (CSC), COA, and Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) to expedite this investigation,” he added.
Since the CTO operates under the BLGF’s jurisdiction, the case will be referred to them for appropriate action.
The BLGF will oversee the proceedings to ensure a fair and transparent resolution, while the CLO continues a thorough investigation to verify the facts.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Finance also committed to closely monitoring the ongoing investigation.
Javelosa assured Sagay City residents that the government is taking all necessary steps to address the matter urgently but with caution.
“We also ask the public to remain vigilant and refrain from spreading misinformation, as this could hinder the investigation and cause unnecessary confusion,” the mayor said.
