The Sagay City treasurer is under investigation for failure to release the P7.3 million Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) due the city’s frontliners, Mayor Narciso Javelosa Jr. said on Monday, Sept. 23.
Javelosa said he borrowed money to pay the frontliners while it is being determined what City Treasurer Juvy Pinongan did with the money.
Javelosa said on August 27 nurses, doctors and other health workers went to his office to complain that despite the arrival of their P7.3 million HEA they still had not received what was due them.
Javelosa explained that the total fund released by the Department of Health for the Sagay City frontliners was P22 million.
Pinongan withdrew the amount on August 16 and the release was done except for the remaining P7.3 million, he said.
When he summoned the treasurer, she said she was busy and that is why the funds were not released. She later said the vault where the money is kept could not be opened because she could not remember the lock’s number combination, the mayor said.
The mayor said he does not know if there is any money left in the vault and is waiting for his lawyer’s advice on how to have it opened.
Javelosa said he has directed the City Legal Office to investigate the treasurer’s failure to release the funds and due process will be observed.
Pinongan continues to report for work and has her own lawyer, Javelosa said.
Javelosa said he has assigned a lawyer to keep a close watch on the treasurer’s office.
Pinongan could not be reached by DIGICAST NEGROS for comment on Monday.*