SP Tabuk endorses KARSA’s request for documents on Nambaran’s lot purchase to CIO

Tabuk City, Kalinga – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Tabuk recently moved to endorse to the City Information Office (CIO), the letter of the Kalinga Apayao Religious Association (KARSA) requesting for a copy of the documents concerning the purchase of a lot in Barangay Nambaran during the Regular Session on Thursday, August 12.

In a letter dated August 5, 2021, KARSA requested City Vice Mayor Bernard Dao-as and the SP to furnish copies of documents concerning the fund transfer and purchase of a lot in Nambaran.

KARSA Inc. cited in their letter that they learned of information of the download of funds of Tabuk City LGU to barangays to purchase lots owned by the City Government which to them raises some legitimate questions needing answers.

In said letter signed by Rev. Fr. Jairus Mateo and Rev. Norman Taynan, they said that ‘there are issues which we believe are of public concern’ adding that ‘in particular, we are interested in the purchase of a lot in Barangay Nambaran allegedly amounting to P6 million.’

“In the interest of transparency and Freedom of Information, may we ask that we may be furnished copies of documents providing legal basis of the fund transfer, documents involving the purchase request and order, to the copy of the payment made,” stated the letter.

The group also asked for a comment on why the City Council allowed the transfer of funds to the barangays for them to buy lots that are owned by the City LGU.

The body, however, did not make a comment on the said inquiry but instead endorsed the matter to the CIO for the office to provide the documents in consonance with the FOI ordinance.

“Para kanya mi, this is for transparency tapnu maamwan tayu ah ta taxpayer tayu met ti Tabuk, ma-inform tayu ah iti pagbanagan na dayta tapnu makita, tapnu maamuan ti tattao tapnu klaro ken awan ti doubt,” KARSA Vice President Rev. Fr. Jairus Mateo said in an interview.

In connection, Tabuk City Vice-Mayor Bernard Dao-as, in a statement, said that the public should be reminded that they could request legal or public documents from the city government as long as they follow the proper process prescribed in the FOI Ordinance.

Documents that could be requested for automatic disclosure are the Annual Budget, Supplemental Budget, Annual Statement of indebtedness, payments, and balances, Annual Procurement Plan, Supplemental Procurement Plan, Utilization of 20% component of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), Utilization of Special Education Plan (SEF), Utilization of Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF), Utilization of Local Development Fund and Utilization of the Gender and Development Program.

Also included are Annual Financial Statements, Contracts/Memoranda of Agreement entered into by the City Government, Bidding Documents, approved budget for the contract, and bid results on civil works, goods and services, and consulting services and all other public records provided for by law, ordinance, executive order, memorandum, and other rules and regulations.

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