The Local Government Unit of Talisay City in Cebu has confirmed about spending for the rehabilitation and installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) at its Command Center which state auditors flagged as nondisaster-related expenses. 

In a recent annual report released by the Commission on Audit (COA) on ‘Ineligible Expenditures,' it was pointed out that installation of CCTV at the command center taken from the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) for 2023 is not eligible. 

The LGU spent P20.94 million to rehabilitate, repair, and install CCTV monitoring at the Talisay City Traffic Communication and Command Center in 2023.

Super Typhoon Odette in 2021 devastated the command center.

According to Mayor Gerald Anthony (Samsam) Gullas, they already sent an explanation to the Audit Observation Memorandum of COA, and is awaiting reply from the commission.

Further, the mayor denied accusations which circulated on social media platforms that he owns a fastfood chain. He vowed to step down from office if the allegations could be proven true.