THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced that it received an Unqualified Audit Opinion (UAO) from the Commission on Audit (COA), the highest audit rating by the COA for CYs 2019 and 2020.
DOLE said it received the rating by strictly adhering to policies and other regulations when it comes to its budget, accounting and auditing procedures of the government when it comes to utilizing public funds.
The DOLE develops rules, programs, coordination and is the main entity in the executive branch of government when it comes to labor and employment. It also takes the lead in implementing various programs and projects, including those related to COVID-19 response under the Bayanihan 1 and 2, such as COVID -19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP), Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged / Displaced Workers (TUPAD), Barangay ko, Bahay ko (TUPAD-BKBK), and Abot-Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP).
In handing out financial assistance, the DOLE Regional Offices (ROs) use money remittance centers or hands out cash advances via Special Disbursing Officers to pay out qualified beneficiaries.
The DOLE also maintains Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) to attend to the needs of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). For POLOs’ operational needs, the DOLE Central Office transfers funds to the POLOs via cash advance for their operating expenses, which is under liquidation by a responsible official.
Of the P1.572 billion unliquidated cash advance as of December 30, 2020, P974.513 million or 62 percent was pertains to the DOLE- Central Office. As of July 31, 2021, the P974.513 million of the DOLE-Central Office was reduced to P216.301 million for a 78-percent settlement rate.
As regards issues such as allegedly committing excessive payments of cash aid, denied claims, and unclaimed financial assistance, the DOLE said they already addressed these issues, and followed the observations and recommendations of the COA.
The department will also submit an updated compliance report within 60 days after it received the COA Report last July 29, 2021.
“Again, we stress that the DOLE is adherent to pertinent rules and regulations on fiscal matters,” the DOLE statement said in response to issues raised by the 2020 COA Report such as insufficient internal control measures in terms of handling of funds for assistance to workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.