Continuation of: 20th U.P. President reveals vision, while 19th U.P. President defends record during today's turnover ceremonies at U.P. Diliman

1) The U.P. Charter. Dr. Roman said that Act 1870 (1908) was amended as An Act to Strengthen the University of the Philippines as the National University (R.A. 9500) in 2008 and that it took five terms of U.P. Presidents spanning 25 years to get R.A. 9500 passed, officially making U.P. the country's national university and creating an information dissemination campaign. She said the passage of the R.A. 9500 into law was one of her administration's major accomplishments.

2) The 2008 U.P. Centennial Celebrations. Dr. Roman said that she had been variously described as the First Woman President in U.P. and the U.P. Centennial President. Both descriptions intimidated her, she said as they raised a lot of expectations of her from various constituents.

She said the U.P. Centennial Lecture Series was a major accomplishment as through this project U.P. was able to present what its scholars and distinguished speakers had to say about U.P., the country and the world.

She said fund raising from the Centennial hit PhP 6.2 billion pesos from 2005 to 2009 which exceeded the working target of PhP 5 billion

She said the Centennial was able to provide for 197 professorial chairs and these do not include centennial chairs.

In other developments, she said in 2010 20% of 10,000 undergraduates are enjoying scholarships through STFAP. Private funds from private sources lead to the construction of 15 new buildings in U.P. Diliman, which are not yet finished, she said.

The Centennial also caused people associated with U.P. to feel pride in place such that there was an outpouring of support which made everybody even more aware of U.P. as a National University, she said.

3) U.P. was able to create a large scientific manpower base during her term. Dr. Roman said a critical mass of scientists and engineers was developed under her watch. In other State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), the norm is for these SUCs to produce education and business graduates; but in the case of U.P. more than one half of students were in science and engineering courses.

U.P. also developed a research agenda for scientists. This has been dubbed as the Emerging Fields Initiative. She said that there was an efficient utilization of funds in research thrusts.PhP 1.2 billion was raised from DOST for research, in addition to funds generated from the National Government for the establishment of the National Science Complex and PhP 1.7 billion was raised for the Engineering Research for Development and Technology project (ERDT).

Dr. Roman also pointed out that additional funds raised for infrastructure and development amounted to PhP 3 billion and that U.P. was able to develop a scientific productivity program and an incentive program. However, she said  U.P. did not foget the artists who are world-class. This is called the Artists Productivity System.

As another achievement, Dr. Roman pointed to the U.P. AyalaLand Technohub which was conceptualized during President Nemenzo's term but realized under her atch.

4) Faculty, Student and Staff privileges. Dr. Roman said that despite U.P.'s exemption from the Salary Standardization Law (SSL), the National Government has agreed to involve U.P. in all government salary increases.

When she took over, the highest faculty compensation was PhP 31,000.00 a month. Now this year it is PhP 57.000.00 a month and by 2012 it will be PhP 80,000.00 a month, she said.

There are also increases in lecturer's honoraria, honoraria for professors emeritus and a program for hospital expenses, she added

As for Students, there has been an increase in the number of scholarship grants as well as an increase in stipends/financial assistance.

She pointed out that U.P. Diliman, UPLB and U.P. Manila now have new dorms

She said that from 2005 to 2010 U.P.'s assets inmproved from Php 27.3 billion to PhP 34 billion with an existing cash balance as of September 2010 of PhP 13.5 billion

"There were times when I was sorely tried but I received the assurances from the board from the most humble to the most distinguished people from U.P.," she said.

“It has been my unique privilege and responsibility to serve as its first and so far only woman Centenial President, and only Centennial President.”

To return to the first part of the story, please click on this link: http://diliman-diary.blogspot.com/2011/02/19th-up-president-defends-record-while.html

Continuation of: Notes on the Answers of Nominees in the 2nd Public Forum for Nominees for U.P. Diliman Chancellor

To return to the first part of the story, please click on this link: http://diliman-diary.blogspot.com/2011/02/notes-on-answers-of-nominees-in-2nd.html


2. There is a sense of the dominance of the natural science and engineering in the university as indicated by the resources channeled to them and the use of natural science criteria for evaluating faculty. Corollary to this, the humanities and the social sciences appear to be in the margins. Please comment.

Former Dean Guevarra: As Dean of Engineering, together with the Dean of Science, we went as far as the President of the Philippines to get funds for the new buildings. My many researches involve education and the social sciences, so I am not partial to natural sciences. However, research is also necessary to find out what is needed by a certain college, and it may not be a physical building.

Dean Salome: There should be peer review for promotion and tenure and this should be clear with the college's mission. The new Science building came from the national fund, and was not taken from the allocation for other colleges.

Dr. Azanza: I cam from the College of Arts and Letters. I am a social scientist. The allocation of funds should be balanced. I have long been pushing for the creation of a National Institute for English and Comparative Literature.

Dr. Claudio: We should give or offer common criteria for all in the distribution of funds.

Dean. Tolentino: It is but normal that some colleges are more advanced tan other small colleges. What we should focus on is to creat a sense of community, rather than focus on individual colleges.

3. The Administration’s assessment of the RGEP has still to be disseminated widely but news has cropped up of the flaws of the program. What will you do as Chancellor to address these flaws?

Former Dean Guevarra: RGEP is like a remedial course for the first and second year students. This matter should be decided upon ASAP and implemented immediately.

Dean Salome: This offers a wide view of what is available in the world of academics. However, no program is perfect, so this should be constantly reviewed.

Dr. Azanza: There should be a system wide study and evaluation of RGEP. There are some courses that are necessary for a student to go through, and RGEP allows the student to avoid those subjects because they find it hard.

Dr. Claudio: RGEP was implemented without clear parameters to find out if it works or not. These must be set.

Dean Tolentino: The University Council instituted this, so it must go back to the University Council for review.

4. How do you intend to handle issues of plagiarism in the university?

Former Dean Guevarra: The fact that U.P. has not defined plagiarism has us divided on the matter. We should have a unified definition and policy that will support it; then educate our students and faculty.

Dean Saloma: We should look at the present system for handling of misconduct.

Dr. Azanza: Plagiarism should not go unpunished.

Dr. Claudio: No to plagiarism and implementation of ful extent of policy and due process.

Dean Tolentino: We should be forthright in the implementation of the law.

5. There are flaws in the tenure process for faculty with the Sarah Raymundo case as the most recent example. How are you going to handle such cases taking into account departmental autonomy?

Former Dean Guevarra: There should be departmental autonomy and there should also be a proper grievance process and transparency.

Dean Saloma: This should be decided inside the college/department. There should be a committee making the decision, not just one person.

Dr. Azanza: Ratify the policy.

Dr. Claudio: Proper implementation of existing policy and mentoring of faculty, especially with new lecturers.

Dean Tolentino: Faculty of college should have autonomy in the process of granting tenures. Transparency should be present.

6. Paano mo ipatutupad ang palisiya sa pambansang wika at ano ang maging papel ng Sentro ng Wika sa iyong administrasyon?

Former Dean Guevarra: We have 3 groups in U.P.: same syllabus and same sound; based on the number of people using it and the use of the dictionary. First, we should have a unified policy on language use.

Dean Saloma: If we take it on, we will need to come up with a dictionary of technical terms.

Dr. Azanza: We are lucky that we have a university that is more open than others in having Filipino to be researched as the national language.

Dr. Claudio: Basic education should be done in the vernacular, because for kids, it is easier to learn concepts in the home language.

Dr. Tolentino: Create an enabling condition for Filipino to be used as a teaching language.

7. What are your thoughts on the recent approval of the BOR of the Ayala contract to lease the present UPIS site?

Former Dean Guevarra: For any kind of income, we should have a clear picture of where it will go.

Dean Saloma: We need transparency. We shouldn't give control of our assets to just one land developer.

Dr. Azanza: We need a thorough review of policy and we need to take a look at what will happen to idle assets in the long run.

Dr. Claudio: We should have transparency and see if any income flows to benefits for constituents.

Dean Tolentino: An open study of what is being done with an emphasis of the balance of the priorities between academic and commercial needs.

8. Who among your professors/colleagues have inspired you the most?

No notes are available for this question.

To return to the main story, please click on this link: http://diliman-diary.blogspot.com/2011/02/notes-on-answers-of-nominees-in-2nd.html

Continuation of "U.P.'s Unfinished Infrastructure Projects are in Danger of Becoming White Elephants Due to Aquino Administration Budget Cuts"

(The proposed Department of Mining, Metallurgical & 

Materials Engineering Building, U.P. Diliman.
To enlarge the picture, just click on it)

According to the Department of Budget and Management, P 275 million was allocated in 2010 for the Engineering Research and Development for Technology Projects which includes the proposed Department of Mining, Metallurgical & Materials Engineering Building at U.P. Diliman. This was a project of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through the Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT) Program.

(National Institute of Physics Building

Phase-B, U.P. Diliman)

(The back view of the proposed National 

Institute of  Physics Building)

Then there is U.P. Diliman's uncompleted National Science Complex as well. According to the College of Science website (http://www.science.upd.edu.ph/) the College of Science is "in dire need of additional funding support to properly maintain and operate the National Science Complex (NSC) that is scheduled for completion in 2011. The NSC is built to provide a nurturing and enabling environment to Filipino scientists, researchers and students allowing them to generate new knowledge and to offer cutting-edge technical support and accurate scientific advice to the Philippine government and the private sector especially the small and medium scale enterprises."

"Today, the College is composed of eleven constituent units including five national institutes and seven CHED Centers of Excellence. Four of the national institutes were established in the 1980’s (MSI, NIGS, NIP, NSRI) while the fifth (NIMBB) was created in the 1990’s. The yearly MOOE budget allocations that are used to fund R&D activities in the national institutes have not been increased since the institutes were first founded if only to neutralize the debilitating effects of inflation and to support the needs of an increasing number of PhD faculty members that are being employed in CS units," the website said.

(The uncompleted National Institute of Molecular

Biology and Biotechnology building)

The National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology building is expected to be completed by June of 2011. The three-storey structure will house several laboratories as well as lecture and seminar rooms for the faculty and students of the NIMBB, according to the website, UPdate Diliman online (http://www.upd.edu.ph/~updinfo/index101.html)

The first floor will contain the administrative offices, lecture and seminar rooms, an e-library and a conference room. The second floor will house teaching labs as well as culture rooms for materials used in its research. It has a wet area as well as an animal cell and plant cell culture room, the website said.

The third floor will have more laboratories, some with airlocks to prevent contamination. There is also a freezer bay as well as storage rooms for the more sensitive materials like radioactive isotopes, the website added.

(Institute of Chemistry Phase 2 at U.P. Diliman 

will be completed by January 2011)

In the case of the Institute of Chemistry, "the implementation of Phase 1 of the construction of the research building and part of the teaching building of IC has been underway since last May 2008. Construction of the research building is expected to be finished by December 2009. Phase 2 of the project for the completion of the construction of the teaching building starts January 2010 and ends January 2011," said a statement at the Institute of Chemistry sublink at the College of Science website at: http://www.science.upd.edu.ph/chem/

"The Project Team led by IC and Architect Lisa Santos ensures that buildings construction are completed on schedule and within budget by holding weekly site coordination meetings with the building construction management and contractor and representatives of the UP Office of the Campus Architect," the website said.

But hand-in-hand with the various projects in the National Engineering  Complex and the National Science Complex are the mindsets of several ranking Aquino administration officials who seem to think that U.P. can hit the ground running in terms of operating these massive projects without corresponding increases in Mainetance and Other Operating expenses (MOOE) from the National Government.

For example, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad proposed massive cuts in the budget of UP and other state universities and colleges (SUCs) for 2011. From P6.9 billion in 2010, Abad decreased UP’s budget to P5.5 billion, or a difference of P1.4 billion. Other SUCs were also faced with budget cuts. Abad wants them to have a budget of P21.7 billion, down by some P700 million from their budget of P22.4 billion in 2010.

Administration officials say that since U.P. had extraordinary expenses in 2010 relating to capital outlay expenditures such as the National Engineering Complex and the National Science Complex construction in several phases, and that it also had savings of P 11.9 billion in 2010; then there was no need to increase the budget of U.P. for 2011.

An interview by Senate staff with Senator Franklin Drilon  the chair of the Senate Finance Committee over the budget of SUCs, reveals the blind eye with which Administration officials have turned to SUCs such as U.P.  who are expected to generate their own revenue to operationalize massive infrastructure projects approved of by the previous administration:

"Q: Zero po yung capital outlay?

DRILON: Yung capital outlay, ibig sabihin nagawa nay un. Yung capital outlay para sa mga sabihin nating building. Eh kung nagawa na yung building bakit natin ilagay muli? Assuming na naglagay ng P5 million sa building at yan po ay nagawa na, eh bakit mo ibabalik?

Q: Yung MOOE may cut din?

DRILON: Di babawasan ang MOOE mula sa current year. Ang dagdag, kapag kailangan pa nila ng mga salapi, yan po ay merong mga internally generated funds naman sila." (http://diliman-diary.blogspot.com/2010/12/2011-national-budget-heads-towards.html)

Following Drilon's logic that U.P. must generate its own resources for any shortfalls in additional rquirements for MOOE; the last approved land use plan for U.P. Diliman is dated 1994, and it stipulates that 88 hectares or 17.8% of U.P. Diliman's 493 hectares are allotted for commercial development, according to the website of the Office of the Campus Architect of U.P. Diliman.

Assuming for the sake of discussion that U.P. is able to lease out properties at commercially competitive rates of P 200/square meter per month, then it is in fact possible to generate revenues of P 2 billion a year. However, the problem with this is that U.P. Diliman will not be able to immediately "monetize" its land assets as first of all, U.P. Diliman's land use plan needs to be updated to cope with the changes in the times. Secondly, U.P.'s bureaucratic processes, Commission on Audit oversight and the need to consult sectors in the vigilant U.P. Diliman community virtually guarantee that commecialization of U.P. Diliman properties will have to pass through the proverbial eye of the needle. Lastly, the incoming U.P. President Alfredo E. Pascual, who assumes office barely a month from now, or on February 10, 2011 will have to do a balancing act where revenues geenrated by U.P. Diliman will have to also be shared across the U.P. System which also have their own pressing financial concerns.

Mr. Pascual therefore will have to expend a lot of effort in adopting a dual track formula of pressing the national government for more funds starting the first half of 2011 when the annual budget cycle commences anew with government agencies lobbying the Department of Budget and Management to consider inclusions of their various concerns before DBM wraps this up for submission by the President to Congress in the second half of the year. Mr. Pascual will also be simultaneously preparing for the worst case scenario which will be for U.P. to independently raise funds in view of a looming funding shortfall for U.P. programs and projects, including the National Engineering and National Science Complexes.

In this respect, we wish Mr. Pascual all the very best as he seeks to solve the gigantic conundrum left by his predecessor, the outgoing U.P. President Emerlinda R. Roman, who leaves behind a legacy of  many unfinished works with correspondingly uncertain fates. Mr. Pascual must press the Aquino administration and President Benigno S. Aquino III's allies in Congress for an increase in U.P.'s budget in 2012 since U.P. is tasked to do so much in engineering, the sciences and in other fields. For all these, state resources must be expended if the country is to remain competitive with its rivals in the region.

(A sign calling for budget increases for U.P.

hanging outside the College of Home Economics, U.P. Diliman)

To return to the main story, just click on this link: http://diliman-diary.blogspot.com/2011/01/commentary-ups-outgoing-roman.html)

(Photos by Chanda Shahani)

2010-2011 Directory of the Philippine Senate

Juan Ponce Enrile

Senate President.

Chief of Staff: Atty Jessica Lucila G. Reyes

Appt. Secretary: Roberto Bañaga

DL: 552-6691

Email: senator_enrile@senate.gov.ph

Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada

Senate President Pro-Tempore

Chief of Staff: Simeon E. Garcia, Jr.

Appt. Secretary: Pauline Labayen

DL: 552-6686

Emails: senjinggoyestrada@senate.gov.ph, jinggoy@senjinggoyestrada.com

Vicente C. Sotto III

Senate Majority Leader

Chief of Staff: Atty. Hector A. Villacorta

Appt. Secretary: Atty. Antonette Cordero/Cherry R. Estonilo

DL: 973-6642

Email: vst1978@yahoo.com

Alan Peter Compañero S. Cayetano

Minority Leader

Chief of Staff: Willie E. Buenaventura, M.D.

Appt. Secretary: Janice Vitalez Icay

DL: 832-5281

Emails: jvitalez@gmail.com, alancayetano@yahoo.com

Edgardo J. Angara

Chief of Staff: Mina F. Pangandaman

Office Manager/HEA: Olive Bustamante

Email: edgardo_angara@hotmail.com

Joker P. Arroyo

Chief of Staff: Mr. Delfin F. Espiritu, Jr.

Appt. Secretary: Abbey Hinto

DLs: 552-6730, 833-2291

Email: None. Just fax letters to: 552-6852

Pia S. Cayetano

Chief of Staff: Atty. Denya Garcia Uy-Anastacio

Appt. Secretary: Divina Omido

Dls: 552-6683, 552-9003, 552-9290

Email: pia@senatorpiacayetano.com

Miriam Defensor-Santiago

Chief of Staff: Anna Camille L. Sevilla

Appt. Secretaries: Chona Defensor, Sandy Schala

DL: 552-6693

Emails: senmds@yahoo.com, mdsmediabureau@yahoo.com

Franklin M. Drilon

Chief of Staff: Atty. Oscar G. Yabes

Appt. Secretary: Loida Geneta

DLs: 659-5581, 659-5841

Email: fmdrilon@yahoo.com

Francis "Chiz" G. Escudero

Chief of Staff: Atty. Rolando P. Tan

Appt. Secretary: Mike Galarosa

DL: 833-5034

Emails: sen.escudero@gmail.com, reachus@chizescudero.com, mediagroup@chizescudero.com

Teofisto "TG" Guingona III

Chief of Staff: Atty. Zorayda Mia Wacnang

Appt. Secretary: Maryanne Jude Mendoza

DL: 986-5774

Email: senatorguingona@gmail.com

Gregorio B. Honasan II

Chief of Staff: Cecile S. Marasigan

Appt. Secretary: Mira Dumlao

DL: 551-0525

Email: piu0720@yahoo.com

Panfilo M. Lacson

Chief of Staff: Ronald Jay P. Lacson

Appt. Secretary: Kathy Alcantara

DL: 552-6786

Email: ospml@yahoo.com

Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid

Chief of Staff: Atty. Filmer G. Abrajano

Appt. Secretary: Shirley Jacinto

DL: 552-6694

Email: snjo408@yahoo.com

Loren B. Legarda

Chief of Staff: Atty. Helen Ann Teodoro-Rivilla

Appt. Secretary: Hazel Iris Lafuente

DLs: 833-1606, 833-1434, 832-7627

Email: loren_b_legarda@yahoo.com.ph

Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr.

Chief of Staff: Mr. Ramon Cardenas

Appt. Secretary: Mary Christine “Happy” Ledesma

DL: 659-5045

Email: inquiry.bbmoffice@gmail.com

Sergio R. Osmeña III

Chief of Staff: Atty. Rassen M. Lopez

Appt. Secretary: Farah Amanda R. Locsin

DL:

Email: serge_osmena@yahoo.com

Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan

Chief of Staff: Renan B. Dalisay

Appt. Secretary: Irish Y. Bewer

DL: 552-6732

Emails: irish_bewer@yahoo.com, kikopangilinan@kiko.ph

Ralph G. Recto

Chief of Staff: Atty. Aristotle O. Liwag

Appt. Secretary: Lilibeth C. Reyes

DL: 659-5756

Email: ralphgrecto@gmail.com

Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr.

Chief of Staff: Mr. Bryan Revilla

Appt. Secretary: Ma. Theresa Tomangan

DL: 552-6776

Email: senbongrevilla@senate.gov.ph

Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV

Chiefs of Staff: Atty. Reynaldo B. Robles and Rolando T. Averilla

Appt. Secretary: Mary Ann R. Villapondo

DLs: 833-2433, 804-0609

Emails: senateoffice@trillanes.com.ph, senate.office.trillanes@gmail.com

Manny Villar

Chief of Staff: Caroline G. Cadeliña

Appt. Secretary: Mariz Ordoñez

DL: 552-6715

Emails: starlight_ams@yahoo.com, mbv-secretariat@yahoo.com, mb_villar@yahoo.com

Juan Miguel F. Zubiri

Chief of Staff: Alexis Wayne P. Valdivia

Appt. Secretary: Iris Marie Salvador

DL: 832-1498

Emails: teamzubiri@yahoo.com, senzubiri@yahoo.com.ph

To our readers: If there are any items here that need correcting, please email us feedback at: dilimandiary@yahoo.com Attention: The Editor

To return to the Diliman Diary, please click on this link: http://diliman-diary.blogspot.com/2010/12/2010-2011-directory-of-philippine.html

Continuation of "8. Rizal Technological University"

Though it was founded in 1975 as Rizal Technological Colleges (RTC), the College was converted into the Rizal Technological University (RTU) on October 11, 1997, by virtue of Republic Act No. 8365. RTU is tasked to provide highly professional, scientific, technological and special instructions in the fields of engineering and technology, education, business and entrepreneurial technology and arts and sciences and to the promotion of research, extension and advance studies in its area of specialization.

The Commission on Audit's (COA) 2009 Consolidated Audited Annual Report (CAAR) of RTU found that RTU's income increased from P 359 million in 2008 to P 397 million in 2009 or an increase in P 38 million. Of this, P 25 million  was from the National Government and P 12.7 million was from other income, 

But COA's 2009 CAAR also found the following problems with RTU's usage of the taxpayer's money:

• A misstatement in the Receivables-Disallowances or charges was committed due to the erroneous debit of P5,954,279.25 to the same account for the disallowed Emergency Cost of Living Allowance (ECOLA) which was not yet final and executory, instead of P8,418,620.34, the total amount of the Notice of Disallowance, subject of two the Notices of Finality of Decision (NFD), both dated November 27, 2009 pursuant to COA Circular No. 2009-006, thus, casting doubt on the reliability of the Account Receivables-Disallowances/Charges balance of P5,954,279.25 as at year end.
• COA is asking the RTU Administration to require the Accountant to prepare the journal entry voucher to adjust the Receivables-Disallowances/Charges and henceforth, ensure the accuracy of balances and reliability of the accounting reports pursuant to provisions of the NGAS Manual, Volume III and Section 22 of COA Circular No. 2009-065 dated September 15, 2009; and also to comply strictly with Section 7.2 of COA Circular No. 2009-006 dated September 15, 2009.
• The validity and existence of the Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE) accounts totaling P779.72 million could not be ascertained due to the inclusion of unaccounted/missing properties costing P0.65 million; non-reclassification of unserviceable properties to Other Assets awaiting disposal costing P30.88 million; non-dropping from the books of accounts of disposed properties costing P3.88 million and the incomplete physical inventory of properties hence, unreconciled variance of P46.88 million between the Property and Accounting records existed contrary to sound property management system. 
• COA is correspondingly asking the RTU Administration to formally create an inventory team to complete and submit the physical inventory reports of all properties of the University and reconcile these with the accounting records; identify the accountable persons for the missing/unaccounted properties and require them to settle their accountabilities and/or submit the request for relief from accountability in accordance with Section 73, PD 1445; and require the Accounting Office to prepare a journal entry voucher to reclassify to Other Assets account all unserviceable properties awaiting disposal and drop from the books all disposed properties.
• COA also said the janitorial and sanitation services rendered by RTU-KAWANI Multi-Purpose Cooperative was procured thru negotiation since CY 2002, renewed and extended on a monthly basis thereafter until 2009 with total payment of P49.50 million thereby manifesting conflict of interest as the Cooperative is an association of the University’s employees. Moreover the mode of procurement was contrary to Section 10, Article IV of R.A. 9184 and Section 5 of the Government Procurement Policy Board Resolution No. 24-2007 thus, defeating the procurement principles of transparency and competitiveness.
• COA is recommending that RTU's Administration submit an explanation as to why the procurement of janitorial services was not done thru public bidding;comply strictly with the provisions of R.A. 9184 and its IRR-A regarding procurement of janitorial services; require the RTU-KAWANI Multi-Purpose Cooperative to deliver all the equipment and supplies listed in the Breakdown of Cleaning Supplies and Materials and be duly received by the University.
• Additionally, COA said that RTU's Administration should deduct the amount of Supplies and Materials not delivered by the Service Agency amounting to P25,885.50 from their succeeding payment of Janitorial services; and require the Service Agency to comply with the provisions of the Contract of Janitorial and Sanitation Services efficiently and effectively to avoid sanctions for not complying with the terms and conditions thereof.
• Another problem COA found and pointed out in its 2009 CAAR was the issue of reimbursements of P1.97 million representation and travelling expenses by 74 university personnel which were not supported with sufficient documentation as required under existing government laws, rules and regulations, thus, casting doubts on the legality and validity of those payments.
• COA is asking the RTU Administration to comply strictly with existing laws, rules and regulations on the payment of reimbursable representation and traveling expenses; require the concerned personnel to submit sufficient documents for the aforementioned reimbursements of representation and traveling expenses pursuant to the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines or P.D. No. 1445 to establish the legality and propriety of the disbursements; and submit certificate of appearances of the companies visited complete with telephone numbers and the official stationery of the company visited for confirmation purposes.
• COA also pointed out deficiencies noted in the RTU Administration's procurement of goods worth P47.02 million thru Direct Contracting cast doubts on the regularity of the transactions. COA is asking the RTU Administration to render an explanation on the abovementioned deficiencies for evaluation; and comply strictly with the provisions of RA 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations in the procurement of goods and services.

RTU's governing body is vested in the Board of Regents which is composed of the Dr. Patricia Licuanan, the Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as Chairman, the President of the University as Vice-Chairman, and the Chairmen of the Congressional Committees on Education and Culture, the Director General of the National Economic Development Authority, the representative of the Department of Science and Technology, the President of the Federation of Faculty Associations, the President of the Federation of Student Councils, the President of the Federation of Alumni Association and two prominent citizens as members.

As of December 31, 2009, there were 654 personnel of RTU Main and Pasig campuses. Out of the 654 total workforce, 105 belong to the academe, 168 are part-timers and 381 are administrative support staff.

During the SY 2008-2009 and 2009-2010, a total of 35,373 students were enrolled at RTU Boni Main and Pasig Campuses broken down as follows with 713 Graduate School students and 34,660 undergraduate students.

To return to the main story, click here: Rizal Technological University

Continuation of "7. Philippine State College of Aeronautics"

COA recommended that the PhilSCA Administration ask the concerned accountable officers to prepare and submit to COA a formal request for relief from property accountability for the fixed assets worth P2.7 million lost thru fire pursuant to Section 73 of the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines (P.D.1445). Failure to comply with the above provision will make the accountable officers concerned liable for the loss of property, COA said.

COA also urged the PhilSCA committees created to hasten their work of completing immediately the physical count and inventory reporting on Property, Plant and Equipment in accordance with the provisions of the Government Accounting and Auditing Manual.

COA is also asking the Accounting Office of PhilSCA to reconcile the balances of accounts in the general ledger against the individual subsidiary/property ledger card including the inventory report that will be prepared by the Committees; and to effect immediately the adjustments after the reconciliation of the said fixed assets accounts.

COA said that Cash Advances to officers and employees amounting to P2.9 million remained unliquidated at year-end even if the purpose for which they were granted have already been served, contrary to Section 89 of P.D. 1445 and COA Circular No. 97-002 dated February 10, 1997, thereby overstating the receivable account and understating the expense account by the same amount.

As a result of the unliquidated advances, COA is recommending that the PhilSCA

Continue withholding the payment of any money due to the accountable officers who have not liquidated their cash advances pursuant to Section 9.3.2 of COA Circular No. 97-002 dated February 10, 1997.

Continue issuing demand letters to all accountable officers with outstanding cash advances and exert all possible efforts to go after these individuals who have liability to the College.

Request from COA authority for the write-off of dormant/non-moving accounts in accordance with existing auditing rules and regulations.

Comply strictly with Section 89 of P.D. 1445 and COA Circular No. 97-002 in the granting, utilization and liquidation of cash advances.

COA also said PhilSCA's validity and existence of the Motor Vehicles account balance of P1,053,500.00 cannot be ascertained due to the unreconciled balance of P868,356.00 between the accounting and property records since CY 2004.

COA is recommending that PhilSCA require the Accounting and Property Offices to reconcile the motor vehicle records and reflect the actual physical inventory of the account pursuant to the provisions of GAAM; and mark all motor vehicles “FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY.”

The 2009 CAAR also said that nineteen college officials and employees whose positions were not among those entitled to Representation and Transportation Allowances (RATA) were paid P0.787 million during CY 2009 out of the Special Trust Fund (STF) contrary to the 2009 General Appropriations Act (GAA), Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 6, series of 2005 of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), National Budget Circular (NBC) No. 404 dated March 29,1989 and COA Circular No. 2000-02 dated April 4, 2000, thus, rendering said payments unauthorized and without legal basis. (paras. 37-51)

COA recommended that the PhilSCA Adminisration require the concerned officials to refund the unauthorized RATA disbursements totalling P0.79 million in the absence of a legal basis to support the payments. Henceforth, all RATA payments should be in accordance with Section 44 of the GAA, NBC 404 dated March 29, 1989 and COA Circular No. 2000-002 dated April 4, 2000, respectively.

The payment of Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) incentive to the members of PhilSCA Non-Teaching Association (PHILSCANTEA) Inc., was not supported with complete documentation and funding source to establish the legality and propriety of disbursements totaling P0.682 million as required under the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Circular No. 2006-1 dated February 1, 2006. (paras. 75-86)

COA recommended that PhilSCA's administration submit necessary documents showing compliance with the prescribed policies, procedures and funding source on the grant of CNA incentive pursuant to DBM Budget Circular No. 2006-1 dated February 1, 2006 and CSC PSLMC dated November 14, 2002; and refrain from paying allowances and incentives, which are not in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.

COA said PhilSCA also contracted the services of private legal counsels and paid the total amount of P325,000.00 from six months to two (2) years for legal and consultancy services without the written conformity and consent of the Solicitor General and written concurrence of the Commission on Audit contrary to COA Circular No. 95-011. COA recommended to the PhilSCA Administration to return to itself the amount paid to the aforementioned private lawyers who were hired contrary to existing accounting rules and regulations and Supreme Court jurisprudence; and require the Accountant to reverse the entry made in JEV No. 09-11-008 to correct the consultancy account by P31,380.00.

The 2009 CAAR also said PhilSCA Administrion failed to establish the reasonableness of the amount of fuel consumed totaling P175,750.68 for CY 2009 contrary to COA Circular 77-61 dated September 26, 1977 due to inadequate data on the trip tickets as well as the absence of the subsidiary ledger, Monthly Report of Fuel Consumption and the Monthly Report of Official Travels for each of the four motor vehicles, thus, the control of the usage of the said vehicles could not be determined.

COA is recommending that PhilSCA's Chief of General Services to submit the Monthly Report of Fuel Consumption for each motor vehicle to the Auditor within the first ten days of the succeeding month for audit purposes as required under pursuant to the provisions of the GAAM and pertinent provisions of COA Circular No. 77-61 dated September 26, 1977.

They are also asking PhilSCA Administration to require the drivers of the four motor vehicles to properly accomplish Daily Trip Tickets and ensure that the same is approved by the authorized officials and signed by the end-users or passengers of the motor vehicle, and that this be serially numbered and summarized at the end of the month in a Monthly Report of Official Travels and submitted to the COA for audit purposes.

COA also criticized PhilSCA's practice of assigning more than 12 hours a week teaching load to 108 part-time faculty members resulting in the payment of 24,871 hours of excess loads amounting to P2.96 million which is inconsistent with the College Faculty Workload Manual dated December 2, 2002.

COA is recommending that the PhilSCA Administration revisit its policy on faculty teaching load vis-a-vis its actual implementation tomake sure it conforms with PhilSCA's College Faculty Workload Manual in view of COA's concerns on the matter.

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Continuation of: "The 102 UPV in-house Research Projects worth P16.56 million were not completed before the expiration of the contracts due to the absence of, or laxity of the management"

(Editor's note: This dispatch is still under construction and will be updated shortly. we apologize to our readers for the inconvenience).

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