COA flags DOT's P48.8M questionable disbursements

The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the Department of Tourism (DOT) over fund disbursements in 2024 amounting to P48.832 million that were unsupported by the required documents.

- 

In its 2024 Annual Audit Report on the DOT, state auditors found that the agency's Central Office (CO) and Regional Offices (ROs) IV-B, IX, X, and XI disbursed a total of P48,832,191.57 for various transactions but failed to present the necessary documents to substantiate the validity of the expenses.

"The lack of certain documentary requirements in the disbursement totaling P48,832,191.57, paid by the DOT CO and ROs IV-B, IX, X, and XI, led to noncompliance with various accounting, auditing and budgeting laws, rules and regulations (LRRs) and issuances, thereby casting doubt on the propriety of these transactions," the COA report stated.

Audit findings showed that the CO accounted for the bulk of the questionable disbursements, amounting to P39.183 million for supposed payments to "foreign service providers" in connection with the DOT's participation and sponsorship in various tourism-related events.