DOTC has a fleet of 50 cars each worth P1 - COA

The Department of Transportation and Communication has a fleet of 51 motor vehicles with a total value of only P50.00, according to a report from the Commission on Audit released Wednesday.

Based on the DOTC's books, 50 of the cars were listed with a value of P1.00 each while one vehicle had no assigned value.

The COA's 2011 report on the DOTC dated June 5, 2013 said the excessive undervaluation was “not in consonance with generally accepted principles that (a government agency’s assets) shall be carried in the books at cost less depreciation.”

In a report aired on GMA 7's “Saksi” late Wednesday, DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said he was looking into the revelations in the COA report.

According to COA, all 51 vehicles were listed in the “statement of subsidiary ledger balance (SSLB)” in the account of the DOTC-OSEC (Office of the Secretary).

The vehicles include five units of Hyundai Starex vans loaned to the Office of the President. However, only one, bearing Plate No. SFT-907 and valued at P830,000, was received.

In a letter dated July 19, 2012, Malacañang Motor Pool director Edwin C. Sicat, informed the DOTC that the Executive Office was ready to return the Hyundai Starex along with two other vehicles that were not mentioned in the DOTC list – a Nissan Patrol (private Plate No. UCV only) and a Nissan Pickup (SEA-685).

Meanwhile, the other four Starex vans bearing government Plates SFT 689, 708, 729 and 739 remain unaccounted for but all were listed under DOTC’s Fund 102 at P1.00 each with the notation “existence not established as of this date.”

COA recommended that DOTC-OSEC locate documents on the procurement of the vehicles in question to determine and reflect in official books their real value, including acquisition cost as well as the computed depreciation over the years.

Ex-DOTC staff still using govt cars

Meanwhile, a separate set of audit findings showed that additional motor vehicles with a total value of P25.57 million were still assigned to former DOTC officials and employees even if they are no longer connected with the agency.

Inquiry with the Property Utilization and Disposal Division (PUDD) revealed that the DOTC staff simply left without seeking clearance before separation from service.

The COA has instructed the Land Transportation Office to trace the persons accountable for each vehicle, and to require them to be “answerable for the monetary value of the unaccounted properties.”

Moreover, auditors also found 18 vehicles registered in the names of contractors and attached agencies, even if they are already being used in the DOTC.

Among these were three units of Toyota Innova, two 2004 Nissan Patrols, a 1997 Ford Expedition, a 1996 Toyota Landcruiser, two Honda Accords, a 2003 Toyota Altis, a 2004 Nissan Terrano, a Toyota Hilux, a Toyota Camry, a Mitsubihi L-200 pickup, an Isuzu Trooper, a Toyota Corolla, a Suzuki compact and a Honda XR 200. — DVM, GMA News