Retiring teachers will not get P10T cash aid

At least 387 public school teachers who are expected to retire this year and in 2018 will not be receiving the P10,000 financial assistance from the city government.

The city government decided to use it to partly pay the P80.2 million which the Commission on Audit (COA) has disallowed.

In an audit report dated October 20, 2016, it showed that the releasing of the teacher's cost of living allowance (COLA) from January to December 2015 was “irregular and contrary” to the laws, rules and regulations.

The COA cited that under Section 6 of the Department of Budget and Management Circular No 2001-03, the giving of COLA to teachers is deemed unauthorized, saying the monthly salary of teachers already has COLA in it.

Councilor Joy Augustus Young, deputy mayor on education and scholarships, told reporters that City Accountant Arlene Rentuza and the city's committee on budget and finance came up with such scheme to pay off the disallowed amount.

The COA has earlier informed the city government to settle the disallowed amount within the period of six months upon receipt of the notice.

“Agreement namong tanan nga ang moretire karong 2017 dili nato tagaan, i-deduct ang whole P10,000. This year, we have about 180 retirees. For those who will retire next year nga 207, dili gihapon kadawat karon, kay i-deduct man. So, next year ang ilahang madawat is P 2,000 na lang,” Young said.

The city government gives P10,000 cash aid to teachers which was executed through an approved ordinance entitled teachers cash assistance program.

Young asked for an apology to the retirees, saying it is the only way that the teachers can pay the disallowed money.

“I'm sorry that is the bad news for you kay wala naman sila next year...Then DepEd mana sila na-employ, dili ta ka-control sa sweldo. Ilahang sweldo is from Manila, ang region ang mo-process sa payroll. Dili na moabot ang sweldo nila sa DepEd Cebu City physically, diretso na sa teachers ATM account,” he said.

As a rule, individuals who used the money are liable to return the amount. While city government's role is to look for ways how the teachers can pay back.

Teachers who are still active in the service will have to pay COA through installment.

“Next year, mag-start sila og bayad, i-deduct namo P5,000. Then, the other P5,000 sa sunod tuig then P8,000 dayon. Bali, payable siya within three years. Mao na among plano para dili sad kaayo bug-at sa teachers, at least naa sila madawat nga partial every December,” Young said.

This way of payment is still pending for COA's approval. The city government will meet COA to discuss the matter within this month.

It was during the term of former mayor Michael Rama that the city government released a monthly COLA to all public school teachers amounting to P2,000.