SIGNING CEREMONY. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Commission on Audit sign a joint circular on the Revised Manual on the Disposal of Government Properties on Tuesday (Jan. 30, 2024) at the DBM Central Office in Manila. The joint circular was signed to ensure accountability, efficiency, and sustainability in managing government assets. (Photo from DBM)
MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Commission on Audit (COA) have signed a joint circular on the revised manual on disposal of government properties to ensure accountability, efficiency, and sustainability in managing government assets.
In a statement on Wednesday, the DBM said the signing ceremony led by Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and COA chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba was held at the DBM Central Office in Manila on Tuesday.
“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," the DBM said.
One of the salient features of the revised manual is the determination of its coverage and scope of implementation, covering 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.
The revised manual excludes 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 DBM said the revised Manual also includes the creation of a disposal committee, as well as 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,” it said.
The DBM said a joint circular with the COA was issued in support of the government’s social, economic, and environmental sustainability goals.
It said the revised manual is “one of the many transformative policies” being instituted in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for a “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines).”
“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,” the DBM said.
“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,” it added.
Pangandaman said it is wise for the government to cope with the changing and modern times, considering that a lot of rules and regulations, circulars, and memoranda “were done from way back.”
Cordoba lauded Pangandaman for taking into consideration the existing laws and policies on disposal of government properties, as well as for ensuring that the revised manual reflects current trends and practices.
Present during the signing ceremony were DBM Undersecretaries Wilford Will Wong and Leo Angelo Larcia; DBM Assistant Secretary Clarito Alejandro Magsino; DBM Systems and Productivity Improvement Bureau director John Aries Macaspac and assistant director Rochelle Ramirez; DBM-COA Audit Team Leader Jayvee Montecer; COA Assistant Commissioner Lorna Cabochan; and COA Director Jasmin Mcabangon. (PNA)
