By JEN BAYLON
The Sagay City government is taking decisive action to investigate the missing P7.3 million Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) for city healthcare workers who served during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement yesterday, Sagay Mayor Narciso Javelosa, Jr. said they are working closely with several government agencies to expedite the investigation.
Javelosa said the City Legal Office (CLO) is carrying out an “exhaustive investigation to ensure facts and data are verified.”
“The CLO is preparing an affidavit of complaint against city treasurer Juvy Pinongan to be endorsed to BLGF [Bureau of Local Government Finance],” Javelosa said, as the City Treasurer’s Office operates under its jurisdiction.
“The case will be referred to them for appropriate action,” he added.
BLGF will oversee the investigation, ensuring a fair and transparent resolution, the mayor said.
“As part of this process, the vault has been sealed and secured. We are now awaiting representatives from the Commission on Audit to witness the opening of the vault as part of their audit procedure,” Javelosa said.
Meanwhile, BLGF-6 Director Ma. Rhodora Gascon said they can conduct a preliminary investigation and formulate a corresponding resolution once they receive the local government unit’s formal complaint on the alleged missing funds.
“Without a formal complaint, we could not come up with action,” Gascon said.
The P7.3 million HEA, also allocated for health workers’ insurance allowance and assistance to senior citizens, is part of the P22 million fund withdrawn by Pinongan from the bank on August 16, Javelosa said.
Based on the local government unit’s investigation, one of two vaults at the City Treasurer’s Office was found to be empty.
The other vault could not be opened.
Pinongan claimed that she allegedly forgot the code, Javelosa said.
She is currently being sought by the local government to assist with the opening of the vaults which reportedly contain the HEA.
On August 28, city health workers approached Javelosa’s office, raising alarms regarding the delay in releasing the funds despite the withdrawal.
For her part, Pinongan claimed that heavy workload was the reason for the delay in releasing the hazard pay.
Javelosa summoned Pinongan for clarification, and ordered her to immediately release the funds.
However, the treasurer’s inability to release the hazard pay led to further inquiries, Javelosa said.
He became suspicious of Pinongan’s actions when he visited her office.
Following the incident, Javelosa sealed the larger vault and coordinated with the city administrator for legal actions.
Pinongan subsequently took a leave of absence and returned on September 5 with legal representation, but the vault remains sealed, intensifying the investigation./JB, WDJ