Makati Leads as Highest Spender of Secret Funds Among Metro Manila Cities in 2023
Here's the Revised Article:
Metro Manila's Confidential Funds Splurge in 2023
Let's dive into the nitty-gritty details of the confidential funds expenditure among Metro Manila's cities in 2023, as revealed in the Commission on Audit (COA) reports.
Last December, COA brought some light to the 16 cities in Metro Manila and their confidential funds expenses. A staggeringtotal of P728 million was splurged on confidential funds in 2023.
Surprisingly, the financial powerhouse, Makati, led the pack with a massive P240 million expenditure on confidential funds, an amount consistent with 2022.
Check out the following breakdown of the 10 cities' confidential funds spending:
- Makati: P240 million (a constant since 2022)
- Manila: P120 million, status quo since 2022
- Quezon City: P100 million, same old tale from 2022
- Pasay City: P60 million in 2023, a dip from P80 million in 2022
- Caloocan City: P60 million, consistent since 2022
- Parañaque City: P49.5 million, keeps its 2022 balance
- Muntinlupa City: P44.08 million in 2023, a drop from P44.29 million in 2002
- Marikina City: P25 million, as unchanged since 2022
- San Juan City: P16 million, a decrease from P17.3 million in 2022
- Malabon City: P13.7 million, a drop from P15 million in 2022
Three of the country's wealthiest cities – Pasig, Taguig, and Mandaluyong – reported zero confidential expenses, along with Las Piñas City, Navotas City, and Valenzuela City.
The designated authorities, including COA, the Department of Budget and Management, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of National Defense, and the Governance Commission for GOCCs, jointly issued Joint Circular No. 2015-01 governing the confidential spending of Local Government Units (LGUs). According to this circular, LGUs can only spend confidential funds directly related to Peace and Order Programs (POPs).
Eligible activities for confidential spending are limited to crime prevention and law enforcement activities, training personnel for law enforcement agencies and volunteers, and programs related to illegal drugs, illegal gambling, counter-insurgency, smuggling, human trafficking, illegal fishing, unlicensed mining and logging operations.
With these guidelines, be sure to dig deeper or consult the COA's official reports, or reach out to local government officials for a better understanding of each city's spending history.
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In the Revised Article, it was disclosed that Makati City spent a substantial amount of P240 million on confidential funds, similar to the 2022 expenditure, which falls under the business category given it involves city finances. Additionally, many cities in Metro Manila, including Manila, Quezon City, and Parañaque City, maintained their confidential funds spending from the previous year, demonstrating consistency in their financial business practices.
