The Commission on Audit (COA) has called on the Municipal Government of Glan in Sarangani province to justify its P15.8 million procurement of vehicles in 2023, citing the lack of required approval from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

In its 2023 audit report, COA classified the purchases as “irregular expenditures” due to the absence of prior authorization from the DILG, as mandated under COA Circular No. 2012-003. The acquisitions included a Mitsubishi Strada pickup (P1.899 million), a Toyota Fortuner LTD 4×4 AT (P2.7 million), a Toyota Hiace Grandia 2.8 A/T (P2.5 million), and four Toyota Hilux Conquest 4×4 A/T units (P8.799 million).

“The procurement of various motor vehicles without prior authority from the DILG can be considered an irregular expenditure,” the COA stated, urging the local government to provide an explanation for the oversight.

In response, Glan officials defended the purchases, arguing that the vehicles are crucial for efficient public service. They claimed unawareness of the DILG’s approval requirement and highlighted specific uses for the vehicles, such as supporting the Office of the Municipal Mayor in its “Munisipyo sa Barangay” program and barangay visitations.

The COA has instructed the municipal government to submit formal justification for bypassing the DILG’s approval process.

“Submit a justification why an Authority to Purchase Motor Vehicles from the DILG was not secured in the procurement of the motor vehicles,” the COA said in its report.