Mandaue defends P55-million ‘Gugma sa Pasko’ program

Local

MANDAUE City has defended its P55.525-million “Gugma sa Pasko” bundle program after the Commission on Audit (COA) questioned how the expenditure addressed specific socioeconomic concerns and development gaps.

While Mandaue is the first local government unit in Cebu to implement the program, City Administrator Atty. Gonzalo Malig-on Jr. said similar Christmas assistance initiatives exist in other cities in Metro Manila, including Pasig and Quezon City.

He said the city was also taking COA’s observations into account and working to establish clearer guidelines for selecting beneficiaries.

“We are doing something about it,” Malig-on said, explaining that the city would comply with the concerns raised by COA.

He said the audit agency had questioned the indiscriminate distribution of assistance, including to people who could afford to buy the goods themselves and might not need government support.

“I think mao na ang, mura ba og ilang sentiment, which we are taking note,” he added.

In its 2025 audit report, COA said the city’s supporting documents did not clearly establish how the distribution addressed specific socioeconomic needs requiring government intervention.

The city distributed 100,000 bundles worth P595.25 each to households in December 2025, regardless of whether they were registered under the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS).

The audit report placed the transaction at P55.525 million, which was recorded as accounts payable in 2025 and remained unpaid as of the report.

“While the goods may have provided short-term assistance or seasonal benefits to recipient households,” COA said, the distribution did not sufficiently demonstrate how the expenditure contributed to a defined developmental objective or addressed an identified socioeconomic need requiring government intervention.

The audit team recommended that the city prioritize projects and programs that address clearly defined societal concerns and generate substantial developmental and socioeconomic benefits.

It said these initiatives should support the city’s economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability and social inclusiveness.

In its response, the city government said Gugma sa Pasko supported residents’ general well-being and promoted public trust by allowing them to experience the benefits of government assistance directly.

City management also agreed to consider COA’s recommendations.

Malig-on said Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano had asked the City Council, through Councilor Joel Seno, to draft an ordinance identifying the program’s target beneficiaries.

The proposed measure, which has passed its first reading, identifies vulnerable groups, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents and low-income households, as priority sectors.

The city is planning to allocate P60 million for the December 2026 distribution, targeting an estimated 80,000 qualified beneficiaries.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office will lead beneficiary screening and validation in coordination with concerned city offices and barangays.

Malig-on acknowledged that the revised guidelines could reduce the number of recipients because the program would no longer automatically cover all households.

He maintained that the program was not unusual, but acknowledged that COA might have a valid point about the need to identify beneficiaries more precisely.

“So, it’s not something nga mura ba og unusual nga angay i-question, but siguro naa say punto ang COA nga dapat targeted gyud ang beneficiary,” he added.

The Christmas bundles distributed in 2025 contained 10 items: fruit cocktail, cream, spaghetti noodles and sauce, Chinese luncheon meat, carne norte, sausage, beef loaf, pork and beans, and cheese.

During the interview, Malig-on also disputed the funding source identified in COA’s report, saying the city’s General Fund, not the 20% Development Fund, covered the expenditure.

He said the city had communicated with COA to correct the information.

Malig-on added that residents who might no longer qualify for Christmas bundles could still benefit from other city services and development projects, including infrastructure improvements and street lighting.

COA said the funds could have supported initiatives addressing identified development needs, improving public services, strengthening economic productivity and promoting long-term social welfare.

Section 2 of Presidential Decree No. 1445, or the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines, requires government resources to be managed and used in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, with safeguards against waste and improper disposition.(MyTVCebu)