DOLE statement on adherence to government budgeting, accounting, auditing rules

Department of Labor and Employment
Statement

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) strictly adheres to government budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations in the utilization of public funds. 

This can be attested by the two consecutive “unqualified” audit opinions, the highest audit rating, by the Commission on Audit (COA) for CYs 2019 and 2020 under the watch of Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III.

The DOLE, as the primary policy-making, programming, coordinating, and administrative entity of the Executive Branch of the government in the field of labor and employment, implements various programs and projects, including those COVID-19 programs under Bayanihan 1 and 2:   COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP), Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers Barangay ko, Bahay ko (TUPAD-BKBK), and Abot-Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP). 

For the release of financial assistance, the DOLE Regional Offices (DOLE-ROs) use money remittance centers or grants cash advances to bonded Special Disbursing Officers to pay qualified beneficiaries.

The DOLE also has Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) to attend to the needs of our OFWs [overseas Filipino workers]. For the operations of the POLOs, the DOLE Central Office transfers funds to POLOs by way of cash advance for operating expenses, subject to liquidation by the accountable officers. 

Of the P1.572 billion unliquidated cash advance as of December 30, 2020, P‪974.513‬ million or 62% pertains to the DOLE- Central Office (CO). As of July 31, 2021, the P‪974.513‬ million of DOLE-CO has been reduced to P‪216.301 million or a settlement rate of 78%.

The issues on the alleged excessive payments, denied claims, and unclaimed assistance, were already addressed initially by the DOLE by way of management comments.

The DOLE has responded to and complied with the COA observations and recommendations. It will also submit an updated compliance report within sixty (60) days from the receipt of the COA Report last July 29, 2021.

Again, we stress that the DOLE is adherent to pertinent rules and regulations on fiscal matters. (DOLE) – jlo