Meta PixelAnnual Audit Report 2024 — Municipality of Zamboanguita — Page 61

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Time Deposit

8. The Municipality inappropriately invested a total of ₱16,623,828.41 in time deposits
   without proper compliance with COA Circular No. 92-382, as the funds under the
   General Fund (GF) did not qualify as idle and documentary support was lacking,
   thereby rendering its propriety doubtful.

   8.1 Section 21 of COA Circular No. 92-382 dated July 3, 1992, states that provinces,
       cities, and municipalities may deposit idle funds from the General Fund into time
       deposit accounts with authorized depository banks, subject to prior authorization from
       the local sanggunian and the approval of the local chief executive (LCE).

   8.2 Moreover, Section 22 of the Circular defines idle funds in excess of normal operating
       requirements as the level of funds an entity can freely invest in government securities
       and/or fixed-term deposits. This determination should account for provisions needed
       to cover regular and recurring operating expenses, such as salaries and wages, repairs
       and maintenance, inventories and supplies, debt servicing, and other obligations
       within the context of the entity’s cash operating cycle. Notably, unremitted national
       collections and funds earmarked for obligations to government corporations or
       cooperatives shall not be considered part of the idle funds of local government units.

   8.3 As of December 31, 2024, the Municipality held time deposits totaling
       ₱16,623,828.41 under the account Cash-in Bank-Local Currency, Time Deposits
       (CIB-LCTD), which are rolled over or renewable upon maturity, as presented in the
       following table:

                                                     Date
                                                                         Maturity    Remaining
    Bank    Account No.    Fund      Balance       Opened/      Term
                                                                          Date         Term
                                                  Subscribed
    DBP    0740012636160    GF    16,623,828.41    1/2/2006    30 days   1/06/2025     6 days

   8.4 The review and analysis of the CIB-LCTD revealed the following deficiencies
       concerning its compliance with the provisions of the Circular:

   Funds invested in time deposits under the GF were not idle

   8.5 The Audit Team requested a Certification of Idle Funds from the Municipal Treasurer
       stating that the Municipality has idle funds available for investment in a time deposit;
       However, a phone inquiry with the Municipal Treasurer revealed that he is unable to
       issue such certification, and the Municipality even withdrew from the time deposit in
       January 2025 due to a delay in receiving the National Tax Allocation.

   8.6 A detailed cash analysis revealed that the Municipality’s available cash balance as of
       December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 was insufficient to cover total obligations, as
       well as regular and recurring operating expenses, including salaries, wages,
       maintenance costs, and debt servicing.


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