THE Commission on Audit (COA) has questioned the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), an attached agency of the Department of Tourism, for the 2022 procurement of promotional materials ostensibly used as giveaways and tokens without supporting documents.
The state auditors directed the TPB to present proof that P9.868 million worth of tokens or giveaways were indeed given to the intended recipients.
In a 2022 audit report, COA it needed the lists of recipients or their equivalents, to verify whether the promotional materials were distributed to the intended recipients or used according to the original purpose.
Several of the documents being sought by COA were listings of recipients, inspection and acceptance report.
Some of the purported give-away items were T-shirts, tote bags, luggage, lanyards, decors, coasters and ball pens.
The TPB gave assurance of its compliance with COA’s recommendation to require project officers to submit proof of distribution of the promo items.
The board claimed however, that in the case of high-level officials or delegates in the tourism industry, it was impractical to ask the recipients to sign an acknowledgement receipt.
“As such they will develop measures to ensure that the distribution of promotional giveaways are substantiated with material and relevant supporting documents,” COA said.
The TBP must refrain from its practice to grant monetary incentives amounting to P7.288 million to its regular personnel under the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence, COA added.
The TPB justified the monetary incentives program, saying it was approved by the Civil Service Commission.
However, the TPB has not submitted the detailed outstanding/excellent performances, suggestions, inventions and innovations of each recipient,” COA said.
The state auditor also questioned the board for the unnecessary grants of raffle prizes worth P510,000 to 46 job order personnel, three retirees and two regular employees in its year-end activity.
Raffle prizes could be irregular since they could be considered as additional compensation.
COA sent a copy of the report to TPB chief operating officer Maria Margarita Nograles last June 8.