The Commission on Audit is investigating Mayor Rodrigo Alanano of Dauin for the collection of traveling allowance and the alleged use of a government-owned vehicle.

The case stemmed from the complaint raised by the Sangguniang Bayan headed by Vice Mayor Frances Araula.

Araula and seven members of the municipal council had passed a resolution calling on the Ombudsman and the COA to investigate the mayor for using the government-owned green Pajero vehicle, even during weekends and holidays.

Nilo Pala, COA officer-in-charge in Central Visayas said that, the act of collecting and receiving transportation allowance even if the government vehicle is assigned for the mayor's use in the performance of his official duties and functions, is a violation of local budget Circular No. 79 dated April 1, 2005. Pala said he is returning the findings to the audit team leader of the province through the regional cluster for appropriate action.

Meanwhile, the municipal council also called for an investigation into the disbursement of the "assistance in crisis situation fund" of the town, which runs to millions of pesos. The councilors claimed that part of the fund is being used to pay the salaries of project-based employees called "takay", or job order employees.

The SP also asked the Ombudsman and concerned agencies to investigate the use of the trust fund collected in the operation of the Coastal Marine Resources Ordinance.

Under the expanded version of the CMR law, 40 percent of the income from tourists in Apo island should go to the fishermen's association, 40 percent to the municipality of Dauin, and 20 percent to the barangay concerned.

But, so far, only the barangay can show how the money is being used, they said.*JG

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