The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Tuesday urged the city government of Makati to adopt a comprehensive electronic payroll system.
DBM Secretary Florencio Abad asked acting Mayor Romulo Peña to complete the transition of the Makati local government unit (LGU) from manual payouts to a payroll system using automated teller machines (ATMs).
“Not only are electronic payroll systems more efficient—they also help keep LGUs clear of ghost employees, since the creation of ATM accounts will require account holders to show sufficient proof of identification,” Abad said in a statement.
Citing a 2012 report by the Commission on Audit, Abad claimed that the Makati City government still pays around half of its employees in cash instead of through ATMs.
Abad said according to the COA report, ATMs lower the risk of fund misuse and result in greater convenience, transparency and accountability.
Abad urged the Makati government to help the administration in upgrading the country’s financial management systems and improving state transparency.
“We need local governments—especially those that manage sizeable resources like Makati—to stand with us in our drive for good governance,” Abad said.
The issue of paid, non-existing employees is among the allegations hurled against the Binays, the longtime occupants of the Makati city hall.
Last month, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the second preventive suspension of Makati Mayor Erwin “Junjun” Binay in connection with the allegedly overpriced construction of the Makati City Science High School.
news source & image credits: philstar.com
