6.4.2.1.1. Transport Municipal officials and employees to attend
meetings, conferences, and seminars;
6.4.2.1.2. Transport medical practitioners for circumcision
operations and barangay consultations;
6.4.2.1.3. Rescue individuals involved in vehicle accidents;
6.4.2.1.4. Transport patients to the hospital;
6.4.2.1.5. Convey discharged patients from the hospital to their
homes;
6.4.2.1.6. Provide transportation for people attending burial services;
and
6.4.2.1.7. Transport non-biodegradable and hazardous wastes to San
Carlos City.
6.4.2.2.A phone inquiry with the LDRRMO-Designate confirmed that they
have been accustomed to utilizing LDRRM vehicles for the
aforementioned purposes. However, he assured the Audit Team that
the LDRRM vehicles would be used specifically for disaster rescue or
response activities.
6.4.2.3.The use of LDRRM motor vehicles and heavy equipment for the
Municipality's routine operations can lead to damage or wear and tear
due to daily use and exposure. As a result, these vehicles and
equipment may quickly deteriorate, making them unsuitable for use
during a disaster or calamity, thus defeating the purpose for which
they were acquired.
6.4.2.4.May we remind Management of the provisions of Section 5.2.1.1.1 of
DILG MC No. 2014-155 dated January 18, 2021, which reiterates that
funds for motor vehicle purchases may be sourced from the “Local
Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Fund provided, that it shall
be utilized in the acquisition of motor vehicles and heavy equipment
to be exclusively used for response and rescue/relief activities x x
x.” (Emphasis ours)
6.4.2.5.Ultimately, considering that the subject motor vehicles, heavy
equipment, and the related fuel were purchased from LDRRMF, the
use thereof should have been limited only to disaster prevention and
mitigation, preparedness, rescue and response, or rehabilitation and
recovery, pursuant to the above-cited DILG Circular.
6.4.2.6.It is worth emphasizing that the law treats LDRRMF as a specific fund
that can only be utilized for specific purposes. Charging the
aforementioned expenditure to the LDRRMF reduces the funds
available for disaster risk management, relief, rehabilitation, and
recovery programs.
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