EMPHASIZING accountability, efficiency, and sustainability in managing government assets, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) together with the Commission on Audit (COA) formally signed the Joint Circular on the Revised Manual on the Disposal of Government Properties today, 30 January 2024 at the DBM Central Office in Manila.
The signing ceremony was led by DBM Secretary Mina F. Pangandaman and COA Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba.
The revised Manual seeks to update the National Budget Circular (NBC) No. 425 dated 28 January 1992 prescribing the Manual on the Disposal of Government Property to guide the agencies concerned in their disposal undertakings.
“A lot of our rules and regulations, circulars, and memoranda were done from way back. I think, with the changing times, with the modern times, it’s just but wise for us to also evolve and try to cope with what’s happening around us,” Secretary Pangandaman said as she reflected on the time she first arrived at DBM.
“Of course, when we work, gusto natin ‘yung environment natin malinis, maganda. Sabi nila, it’s quite difficult to dispose of our government properties, goods, and materials. So sabi ko, kailangan magkaroon tayo ng guidelines for disposal. So, I asked our team if we can study and maybe upgrade and amend natin [ang Manual] para mas mapadali sa atin,” Secretary Pangandaman shared.
Among the salient features of the revised Manual is the determination of its coverage and scope of implementation, which will cover all government properties that are movable or personal, purchased, owned, or otherwise acquired including those donated to, stocked, and used by the government in its operations, excluding real properties, public records, and imported properties consigned to the Government.
It also identifies the duties and responsibilities of accountable personnel, as well as the procedures and methods in the conduct of disposal. The revised Manual also includes the constitution of a Disposal Committee, composed of a Chairperson and its Members. It likewise sets the conditions of properties for disposal, and the various modes of disposal.
Further, the revised Manual sets the guidelines and procedures for the sale of properties for disposal, including the adjustment of appraised value, and the rules to follow for auction procedures.
“Kaya’t nagpapasalamat po ako sa COA, sa pangunguna ng ating butihing panauhin ngayong araw, Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba. Taos-pusong pasasalamat sa inyong pamumuno at sa buong suporta ng COA para maisakatuparan po natin itong adhikaing ito,” the Budget Secretary said.
For his part, COA Chairman Cordoba also thanked Secretary Pangandaman for the collective efforts that led to the successful crafting of the revised Manual.
“Special thanks to the Department of Budget and Management, headed by Secretary Pangandaman, who took into consideration the existing laws and policies governing disposal, including the pertinent rules and regulations issued by the Commission on Audit, as well as the inputs from various stakeholders, thereby ensuring that the Manual reflects current trends and practices,” Chairman Cordoba expressed.
The revised Manual aims to support the government’s social, economic, and environmental sustainability goals. It is one of the many transformative policies being instituted in response to the President’s call for a Bagong Pilipinas. It shall allow the utilization of the properties to their full potential and disposal of said properties upon the end of their useful life to ultimately save the government from unnecessary expenditures and help maximize savings.
Furthermore, systematic and timely disposal proceedings are essential to avoid further deterioration of the properties and consequent depreciation in their value. It would ensure the elimination of the continuing storage costs of the government, relieve accountable employees from unnecessary or excess accountability, and effectively decongest government offices.
Also present during the signing ceremony were DBM Undersecretary Wilford Will L. Wong, DBM Undersecretary Leo Angelo M. Larcia, DBM Assistant Secretary Clarito Alejandro D. Magsino, DBM Systems and Productivity Improvement Bureau (SPIB) Director John Aries S. Macaspac, DBM SPIB Assistant Director Rochelle F. Ramirez, DBM-COA Audit Team Leader Jayvee Montecer, COA Assistant Commissioner Lorna D. Cabochan, COA Director Jasmin Mcabangon, and other key DBM and COA representatives.
