EXCESSIVE | Cardema, NYC slammed for huge spending on travel, training flagged by COA

August 3, 2023 , 11:03 AM

(August 3, 2023) – The National Youth Commission (NYC) faces scrutiny after the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged its spending on domestic travel and training events last year worth P36.82 million.

The COA reported that the NYC spent P31.4 million for training conferences and P5.43 million for domestic travel, tallying hefty increases from P4.65 million and P1.29 million, respectively, in 2021. The COA added that it cannot ascertain the “validity and propriety” of these expenses.

Among the issues that the COA also raised was the “lack of proper planning in the various activities of NYC (that) resulted in excessive payments for hotel room reservations” worth P1.28 million. More than P675,000 worth of disbursements were also “processed and paid without complete documentation.”

“Audit of disbursements for the conduct of various trainings, planning conferences, and summits of NYC for CY (current year) 2022 revealed that the activities had meals/room/venue reservations more than the actual participants,” read the report.

In its reply, the NYC said some participants confirmed their participation but did not show up while others tested positive for COVID-19, adding that some also chose to book another hotel since they have companions.

“Although plausible, the above-mentioned justifications could not be validated and accounted for since these were unsubstantiated for lack of proof such as medical records and letters from the participants,” said the COA.

On the lacking documentation, the COA criticized the accountant for failing to “closely monitor and review” the completeness of the attachments to the disbursement vouchers. It said any failure to submit these documents shall cause the suspension of salary payment to the concerned personnel until complied.

State auditors also slammed the processing of travel expenses worth P72,272 even if it did not bear the approval of proper officials. They likewise noted an overpayment per diem amounting to P2,640.

“We recommend and the management agreed to ensure proper planning and compliance with guidelines on the procurement of venues and accommodations for programs, projects, and activities so that only those participants who confirmed their attendance will be booked,” added COA.

It also urged the NYC to ensure that the disbursement files undergo proper channels of approval. Concerned employees must also submit lacking documents and refund the excess claims they received.

Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel criticized the NYC following the issuance of the COA report. It also recalled a previous instance wherein funds of the NYC were used to support the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in 2021.

Manuel also slammed NYC chairperson Ronald Cardema for supporting the proposed mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and red-tagging progressive groups.

“Ang tunay na kabataan, hindi gaya ni Cardema na ginawang training ground sa pagiging trapo ang NYC. Dapat ‘di siya tularan ng mga tatakbo at mg uupo sa SK (Sangguniang Kabataan),” said Manuel.

(PM)

Privacy Statement

Our Privacy Commitment

TV5 Network Inc. values and respects your privacy. We are committed to safeguarding your personal data in compliance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and its implementing rules and regulations.

We have developed a Privacy Policy that adopts and observes appropriate standards for personal data protection. While our Privacy Policy sets out the general principles governing the collection, use, and disclosure of our users’ personal information, our Privacy Commitment seeks to inform you more about TV5’s privacy practices.

Why do we collect your personal information (as applicable)?

We may collect and maintain basic information about you as site user of TV5 sites for the following purposes:

To deliver news and updates on current events, sports, esports and entertainment;
To share livestreams of news and sports events;
To understand our viewers’ needs and preferences;
To meet legal and regulatory requirements; and
To perform other processes or disclosures that are required to comply with pertinent laws, rules, or regulations.

Where do we get your personal information?

There are several ways we collect your personal information.

Information that you personally provided.

Most of the personal information we have are those that you have provided us when you:
- Register to our programs or services;
- Inquired, filed a complaint or requested for our services;
- Took part in our research and surveys; and/or
- Became our Partner, Vendor, Contractor or Supplier.

Information we collect during your engagement with us

We also collect information as you use our products and services, like:
- Viewing our websites;
- Activities that are being tracked by our website cookies;
- Calling our hotline;
- Using our apps, websites, and self-service channels and portals; and/or
- Joining our promos, prize raffles, or rewards and loyalty programs.

Information we collect from other sources

Other means of collection of information may be through:
- Our market research initiatives;
- When you visit and use our websites and mobile application; and
- Subsidiaries, affiliates, and third-party business partners to whom you have given consent to share your information to us.

When do we disclose personal information?

There may be instances when we are required to share the information you provided us. In such cases, we ensure that your personal information will be disclosed on a confidential manner, through secure channels and in compliance with the Data Privacy Act and other privacy laws.

We will never share, rent, or sell your personal information to third parties outside of TV5 except in special cases where you have given consent, and in cases described in our privacy policy.

In some instances, we may be required to disclose your personal information to our agents, subsidiaries, affiliates, business partners and other third-party agencies and service providers as part of our regular business operations and for the provision of our programs and services. This means we might share your information with our service providers, contractors, and professional advisers who help us provide our services.

How we protect your personal information

The integrity, confidentiality, and security of your information is important to us. We have implemented technical, organizational, and physical security measures that are designed to protect your information from unauthorized or fraudulent access, alteration, disclosure, misuse, and other unlawful activities.

We also put in effect the following safeguards:

We keep and protect your information using a secured server behind a firewall, encryption and security controls;
We keep your information only for as long as it is necessary for us to (a) provide the products and services that you avail from us, (b) for our legitimate business purposes, (c) to comply with pertinent laws, and (d) for special cases that will require the exercise or defense of legal claims;
We limit the access to your information only to qualified and authorized personnel who are trained to handle your information with strict confidentiality;
We undergo regular audits and rigorous testing of our infrastructure’s security protocols to ensure your data is always protected;
We promptly notify you and the National Privacy Commission when sensitive personal information that may, under the circumstances, be used to enable identity fraud are reasonably believed to have been acquired by an unauthorized person; and
We let you update your information securely to keep our records accurate.

TV5 will not collect, use, or disclose your personal information for any purpose other than the purpose that you may have given your consent for.

What are your choices?

We make sure that we have your consent to continue to collect, use, and disclose your personal information for the purposes that we have identified. We want you to know that you may object or withdraw your consent and/or edit your consent preferences at any time.

If you wish to have access to the personal information in our custody or if you think that the personal information you provided is incomplete, or otherwise inaccurate, you may get in touch with our Data Protection Officer through the contact details provided below. In some instances, we may request for supporting documents or proof before we effect requested changes.

Data Protection Officer
TV5 Network Inc.
Reliance corner Sheridan Streets
Mandaluyong City
tv5dataprivacy@tv5.com.ph

What happens when there are changes in our Policy?

From time to time, we may update our privacy policy and practices to comply with changes in applicable laws and regulatory requirements, adapt to new technologies and protocols, and align with the best practices of the industry.

You will be provided notices if the changes are significant and, if we are required by law, we will obtain your updated consent.