DOF Grants Aklan P6.89 Million

by ODON S. BANDIOLA

The Province of Aklan received P6.89 million grant from the Department of Finance (DOF) for topping the department’s Municipal Development Fund Office-Performance Based Grant System (MDFO-PBGS). Aklan is among the 10 provinces-grantees throughout the country. 

Aklan is a participating province in the DOF-MDFO-PBGS grant system. The other nine participating provinces are Mountain Province, Agusan del Sur, Northern Samar, Misamis Occidental, Sarangani, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Davao Oriental and Romblon. 

The participating provinces are rated according to Governance and Financial Accountability indicators. The Province of Aklan scored 37 points out of the total score of 42.

The participating provinces are assessed on governance indicators like Planning Structure, Public Participation and Performance Monitoring and Feedback. Likewise, assessment indicators under Financial Accountability include Cash Management, Internal Control, Commission On Audit (COA), Findings on Prudent Spending, COA Audit Report, Asset Management, Computerization, Procurement, Publication on Procurement, Publication and Documentation.

Through Appropriation Ordinance No. 2013-002, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan during its 20th Regular Session on June 19, 2013, appropriated the grant amount of P6.89 million to Pook Eco-Tourism Development Project in Pook, Kalibo, Aklan for the Phase 1 development which includes the construction of a Wooden Wharf, Coastal Protection, Road Improvement and Trading Post.

In the annual budget for 2013, the SP has appropriated from the 20 percent Development Fund the total amount of P1.25 million as counterpart fund of the provincial government for the same project.

During the 2nd Special Session of the SP on August 20, 2012, the provincial board has authorized Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with DOF-MDFO-PBGS for the province’s participation to the grant system. /MP