ILOILO City – The city government’s Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO) chief Ariel Castañeda welcomed the planned audit on his office’s books of account.
The LEEO is overseeing the operation of the city’s public markets and slaughterhouse.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod passed a resolution requesting the city government’s Internal Service Office to audit the LEEO.
“It’s normal,” said Castañeda. “Wala kita may ginatago (We are not hiding anything).”
The audit would show that the LEEO managed to post surpluses under his watch, he added.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod is currently investigating, in aid of legislation, the sorry state of the city’s slaughterhouse in Barangay Tacas, Jaro district and the public markets.
The six markets are the Iloilo Terminal Market (popularly called “Super”), Iloilo Central Market, La Paz public market, Jaro “big” and “small” markets, and Mandurriao and Arevalo public markets.
The SP wanted to know the true financial status of the markets and slaughterhouse, according to Councilor R Leone Gerochi.
“A proper audit and analysis should help the SP as well as the city mayor formulate solutions,” said Castañeda.
He looked forward to seeing a clear plan and development direction for the markets and slaughterhouse as a result of the audit.
The LEEO was established in 2009. In 2015 then mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog appointed Castañeda as its chief.
According to Castañeda, no financial records were turned over to him when he assumed the post.
“Ang mga ginabasehan lang naton sang records ang ara sa Commission on Audit. Since wala records pagsulod naton, nag-establish kita sang internal control system to monitor the collections,” he said.
The LEEO under him observed daily monitoring of remittances, including holidays and Sundays.
“Wala naton ginpatugutan nga indi ma-remit,” said Castañeda whose immediate predecessor at the LEEO was Vincent de la Cruz.
Castañeda recalled inheriting unpaid electricity bills (slaughterhouse and markets) amounting to P30 million and dilapidated markets.
The LEEO under him was able to partially pay it (P3 million initially).
“Tatlo pa lang ako ka tuig. I’m not a magician,” said Castañeda.
He denied that the LEEO was mismanaged.
“Kun mismanaged, siguro wala kita surplus, wala direction,” he stressed.
On the proposed abolition of the LEEO, Castañeda warned that 116 permanent employees and 115 casual employees would be displaced./PN
