Bishop Jessie Mercado explains side in Finance Forum of Priests; Read all about it here.

 Anomalies and Questionable Explanations during Finance Forum of Priests in red CAPITAL LETTERS

July 12, 2012
Finance Forum of Priests

Fr. Gerard Mascarina: Good morning po.

We will have the understanding and healing of what is happening to our diocese.
So the first part is we are going to present some datas and after that open for questions.

Now we are going to present first of all, with regards to the, kasi marami din tayo bago kasama, members of the finance council, Mr. Nonie Ocampo.

Nonie Ocampo: Good morning po.

I will report on the diocesan course of events. I will go back to history. Initial money of the money is around P5 million pesos given by the Archdiocese of Manila.

In 2008, the Finance Council find ways and means to service the needs of the priests and the diocese itself. It had to devise a quota system to make the salaries of the catechists employed by CEFAM working within the diocese. Retirement benefits of priests, organization costs and the cost of maintaining the chancery.

In 2003, the bishop approved that all parishes in the diocese of Paranaque shall remit to the diocese an amount equal to 10% of the annual gross. This amount was based on amount remitted on 2002 annual gross income of each parish. At that time, annual gross income of diocese was about P140 million. Thus the diocesan share was about P14 million. Of this amount, P5-6 million was set aside for the share of salaries and benefits and other expenses. It also set aside some money which is being administered by Insular Life for the retirement of priests. At that time, retired priests shall get 20,000 a month, but the diocese of Manila shall also shoulder a portion of this benefit. Annual premium of P1 million was set aside for this purpose. The diocese likewise set aside another P1 million for organizational expense of priests. This was done despite the fact that priests shall go to Cardinal Santos or San Juan de Dios Hospital, the diocese recognizes the fact the priests would want to go to their personal and long time doctors, these doctors are not affiliated to the two hospitals. Another P3 million was allocated for the operations of the chancery. This would pay for salaries and other expenses of different offices and commissions.

In 2007, finance council had the audit of all the parishes, as of December 31, 2005

In 2008, diocesan quota was now based on annual gross income of parishes as of Dec 31, 2005. At this point, annual gross income of the diocese was P190 million. The diocesan quota share rose to P19 million. However, expenses improved, salaries, expenses for the catechists was now budgeted at P7 million. At this point too, the bishop has increased the retirement benefits of priests at 30,000 a month, as of today, the same. Annual premium of P2 million pesos was set aside for this fund. Another P2 million pesos was reserved for the hospitalization expenses of the priests. The chancery had grown at this time in annual expenses was budgeted for 5 million pesos.

In 2009, the diocese had more incardinated priests and with the looming expiration and cessation of benefits of former RCAM priests the council has decided to impose an additional 2% annual gross income to set up the diocese organizational fund. Out of this fund, the diocese got again a plan for all priests an annual premium, about P700,000. The rest is deposited into a hospitalization fund from which the diocese had grow funds in the future to pay of expenses once the deal with RCAM expired. It has to be noted that the diocese has never experienced a 100% collection rate at any given year since 2003. As of July 11 2012, total receivables from the parishes amount to P7.9 million.

The diocese has also in several occasions allowed second collections in masses.

COLLECTIONS ARE FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES AND IS PLACED IN SEPARATE ACCOUNTS.

FOR THE YOUTH, THE COLLECTION IN 2011, WAS P169,921 AND THE FUND HAS A TOTAL, HAS A BALANCE OF P1.3M

WE COLLECTED P3.4 MILLION FOR TYPHOON SENDONG AND SPENT P2.5 MILLION. WE HAD A BALANCE OF P970,000

FOR THE HOLY FAMILY, WE HAD A COLLECTION OF P156,000 AND THE BALANCE IS P1.8 MILLION

For the Epiphany, we had a collection of P328,000 as of January 8 2012 and we spent P338,000

FOR THE HOLY CHILDHOOD, COLLECTION OF P524,000 AND THE BALANCE IS P534,000.

FOR THE BIBLICAL APOSTOLATE, WE HAD A COLLECTION OF P518,000, EXPENSES OF P162,000, BALANCE OF P317,000

FOR THE WORLD DAY OF THE SICK, WE HAD COLLECTION OF P303,000

PALM SUNDAY COLLECTION, WE HAD P593,000.

Good Friday collection, we had P384,000, spent P384.

Saint Peters collection is P348,000, spent 348,000.

THE TOTAL DIOCESAN FUND HAS GROWN TO AROUND P110 MILLION AS OF TODAY.

Fr. Gerard Mascarina: Thank you Mr. Ocampo.

Second, data will be presented by Ms Winnie Madarang of Audit of the diocese.

Ms. Winifreda Madarang: Magandang umaga po.

First, ang akin pong task this morning is to present to you the financial statements of our diocese.

First, I would like to show you the statement of assets, liabilities and fund equity of the diocese.

This is the same format that has been required from all the parishes, basically the statement of assets and liabilities and fund equity and statement of receipts and disbursements.

So, I will show you the audited numbers from 2009 and 2010

We are being audited by the Archdiocese of Manila so our own audit department does not render the audit services of the diocese.

For the years 2009-2010, we present here the numbers.

SO CASH ON HAND AND IN BANK. P5.5 MILLION IN 009, 6.8 MILLION IN 2010.

INVESTMENTS, P75.6 MILLION, 2010 82.2 MILLION

Receivables and advances, this does not include the uncollected quota of parishes because we record as cash and fund equity when collected.

So the total assets, current assets, would be the total of P82.8 million in 2009 and P91.2 million in 2010. Land property and equipment, this would consists substantially of the diocesan building, chancery building, P43.3 million in 2009 and P44.2 million in 2010.

Total assets, P126.2 million in 2009, and P135.4 million in 2010

Liabilities and fund equity, amounts payable and other liabilities amounted to P10 million in 2009, P9.1 million in 2010.

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS, THESE ARE THE BALANCES, REMAINING IN THE, THESE ARE LIKE THE THE TRUST FUNDS IN THE PARISHES. P11.2 MILLION IN 2009, P15.3 MILLION IN 2010.

PROGRAM FUNDS, P3.5 MILLION IN 2009, P6.9 MILLION IN 2010

Total liabilities recorded in the diocese, P24.9 million in 2009 and P31.3 million in 2010

Net equity or fund equity, total of P101 million in 2009. P104 million in 2010.

IT COULD BE NOTED THAT FOR THE AUDIT RATING IN 2010, THE DIOCESE WAS RATED A 100%. ANG IBIG SABIHIN LANG PO NITO, WE HAVE ACCOUNTED FOR ALL THE RECEIPTS AND THE DISBURSEMENTS WERE FULLY SUPPORTED.

The same guidelines the same standards were applied as in the audit of the parishes. Basically the 100% rating is an affirmation that the diocese has accounted for all the funds that were entrusted to you.

2011 is yet to be audited. We have also the numbers as of May 2012.

CASH AS OF NOW STANDS AT P8.9 MILLION, THIS IS THE OPERATING CASH.

THE INVESTMENTS P118.6 MILLION.

And then the receivables and advances and other assets amounting to P1 million and 1.3 million respectively and the other assets P1.1 and P.7 million respectively.

So these assets stand at P43 million. Total assets P162 million in 2011 and P172 million in May 2012. That is the latest that we have

Interest of liabilities and fund equity. Total liabilities P23.5 million in 2011 and P26.7 million as of May 2012.

Fund equity, P95.7 million end of 2011 and P103 million as of May 2012

Fund equity buildings P43 million.

Total liabilities and equity P162.2 million and P172.7 million in 2011 and 2012 May respectively.

In a nutshel, that is the financial position of the diocese.

I am going to show you the statement of receipts and disbursements.

The receipts will consist of the following, the parish quota, dividends and interests, certain donations and other smaller amounts.

Again in 2009, total receipts 28.8 million, in 2010 24.4 million.

There is a decrease, substantial in the collections on parish quota

So the disbursements during those period, these are the chancery operating expenses, P11 million. Hospitalization and healthcare expenses, almost a million in 2009, in 2010 P2.1 million, pension plan expense, premiums and the catechists, P5.2 million for 2009 as well as in 2010

so the total disbursements, P18.8 in 2009 and P19.8 in 2010

THE NET RECEIPTS P10 MILLION IN 2009 AND P4.5 MILLION IN 2010

Those are already audited numbers. Going to the unaudited 2011 in January and may. In 2011, this the year when , there was an increase in total collection in the parish quota, P29 million for the year and as of may 2012, P12.4 million.

And then in so far as disbursements are concerned, you will note even the disbursements on catechesis here is reduced, this is because the billings for rcam, from rcam has not been received. the same is true for the billings in 2012 there is no bill yet from the archdiocese and we are modified cash basis.

SO THE NET RECEIPTS AS OF END OF 2011 IS P9.9 MILLION SUBJECT TO ADJUSTMENTS WHEN THE FINAL BILLINGS WOULD BE RECEIVED AND AS OF NOW, P7.2 MILLION AGAIN SUBJECT TO ADJUSTMENTS LATER.

Those are the operating position, the operating statements and the presented the financial position of the diocese. Thank you very much.

Fr Gerard Mascarina: Thank you Ma’am Minnie

What I am going to present is ah. The papal nuncio wrote a letter to the bishop asking to answer these ah whatever is presented to the media.

In response for this, the office of the finance council is sending this letter to the nuncio.

His Excellency Most Reverend Giuseppe Pinto, D.D.
Papal Nuncio to the Philippines

Your Excellency,

Greetings in the Lord.

After the finance council has thoroughly reviewed and evaluated the documents and financial reports of the diocese with the aim of working towards the call for transparency, concerning our present situation we hereby present to your good office the results of our investigation concerning the present situation confronting our diocese

A. THAT ALL FUNDS RECEIVED WERE PROPERLY RECEIPTED AND ACCOUNTED FOR.

Sa basic accounting po, eto and unang unang sinisigurado. na merong resibo.

B. THAT DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR THE DIFFERENT CALAMITIES WERE GIVEN TO INTENDED BENEFICIARIES EXCEPT THOSE THAT WERE REMITTED LATE. THE PAST DONATIONS ARE MAINTAINED IN A CALAMITY FUND FOR FUTURE USE.

ETO PO, EXAMPLE LANG SA PAROKYA, DI BA MERON TAYO MGA TRUST FUND, HALIMBAWA FIESTA, NAKOLEKTA NATIN HALIMBAWA P50,000, NAGASTOS KO LANG NGAYON P40,000, SAAN MO GAGAMITIN P10,000? SO NASA TRUST FUND PA DIN NG FIESTA, PERO NANDUN, DI KO NAMAN PIPILITIN GASTUSIN P10,000 FOR THIS YEAR, KASI MERON PANG FIESTA NEXT YEAR. GANUN DIN PO ANG BASIC, IT IS IN THE CALAMITY FUND. YUN PO ANG MGA CALAMITIES, IT IS DETAILED IN THE SYSTEM. PERO ALWAYS IT IS IN THE CALAMITY FUND. ALAM PO NAMAN DITO SA ATING BANSA, CALAMITIES ALWAYS COME. AND OF COURSE IMPORTANT.

Doon po sa ating donations, detailed report. We have already given 2 million for donations. pero hindi po kinukuha sa second collection. Part of the support of the diocese to this people, to this diocese, to this group. yun po.

IN THE CASE OF THE TYPHOON ONDOY, MOST DONATIONS CAME AS RELIEF GOODS AND WERE GIVEN DIRECTLY TO THE VICTIMS. EXCESS FUNDS WERE EARMARKED FOR CREDIBLE REHABILITATION PROJECTS. WE WERE VERY CAREFUL IN RELEASING THE FUNDS BECAUSE OF THE ABSENCE OF CREDIBLE REHABILITATION PROJECTS. THAT WAS NEVER, THERE WAS, THERE WAS NEVER AN INTENTION TO DIVERT THE FUND.

The record of the Pontificial mission society will show that the diocese of Paranaque.

Eto po yung pontifical mission, eto po yung ecclesia sanctae, holy trinity, opus santa petri, santa infantia, mission sunday, cor fidei, lahat po eto,

Let us thank the Lord, because of all the archdioceses and diocese, Paranaque is second to Manila in amount being donated. Manila, then amount Paranaque. That’s how generous our parishioners are. Let us be grateful for our parishioners. Sa mga tao lahat nanggagaling eto.

IN FACT THE DIOCESE OF PARANAQUE, SECOND TAYO AMONG THE DIOCESE IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT REMITTED. THAT ALL OTHER SECOND COLLECTION INTENDED FOR CBCP COMMISSION, HOLY LAND, APOSTOLIC NUNCIATURE, SOME PARISHES REMITTED VERY LATE THAT THERE WILL BE BALANCE LEFT. THAT ALL OUR TRUST FUNDS ARE PROPERLY IDENTIFIED AND ARE INCLUDED IN A GENERAL FUNDS WHICH WERE PLACED IN SOUND INVESTMENT. AND I SAID, VERY CONSERVATIVE INVESTMENT.

THAT THE BISHOP IS NOT DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE HANDLING OF FUNDS. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE GIVEN BY THE DIOCESAN FINANCE COUNCIL THEN RECOMMENDED BY THE OFFICE OF THE ECONOMUS.

The diocese of Paranaque is regularly been audited by the archdiocese of manila. If there are any concerns as to the details of our report, of our office. The proper body that should be consulted in this matter is the audit department of the archdiocese of Manila in view of the report. In fact we have received a memo already from them.

Your Excellency we hope that for this presentation we could shed light on the queries and allegations besetting our diocese.

May we just said that healing and reconciliation among the beloved people of God of the diocese of paranaque

In Christ,

Fr Gerard Mascarina
Economus

Second, as the bishop also received a letter from the nuncio.

This is the answer of the bishop to the queries of the nuncio

His Excellency Giuseppe Pinto
Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines

Peace be with you.

With reference to your letter dated 5th of July 2012

We report the following

This is more detailed

Funds for Typhoon Ondoy.

TYPHOON ONDOY HAPPENED LAST 27 OF SEPT 2009. THE DIOCESE DID NOT MANDATE A SPECIAL COLLECTION BECAUSE EVEN THE GREATER MANILA AREA WHICH INCLUDES OUR DIOCESE WAS AFFECTED BY THE CALAMITY.

So malabo tayo na isulat sainyo na magkaroon tayo ng second collection kasi pareho pareho tayo na naapektuhan.

BUT AGAIN, DUE TO THE GENEROSITY OF THE PEOPLE, DONATIONS SIMPLY CAME IN. MOSTLY IN FORM OF RELIEF GOODS WHICH WERE DIRECTLY GIVEN TO THE VICTIMS. THE DIOCESE ALSO IMMEDIATELY BOUGHT RELIEF GOODS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE VICTIMS AFTER THE TYPHOON.

ANG NAGASTOS NATIN DIYAN AY P58,476.

FINANCIAL AID WAS ALSO GIVEN TO SOME EMPLOYEES AFFECTED BY THE TYPHOON. NAGBIGAY DIN PO TAYO SA MGA EMPLEYADO NATIN DITO.

THERE WERE SO MANY RELIEF GOODS THAT THERE WAS NO NEED TO RELEASE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR SUCH PURPOSE. CASH DONATIONS CAME IN ALMOST A MONTH AFTER THE CALAMITY.

THE DIOCESE RECEIVED A TOTAL AMOUNT OF P1,000,651.45 STARTING FROM OCT 8.

SO YUNG BAGYO PO SEPT 27, PUMASOK YUNG MGA PERA OCT 8 UP TO APRIL 4, 2011. SO MERON NAGBIGAY PA DIN APRIL 4, AFTER 6 MONTHS. THATS HOW GENEROUS PEOPLE ARE .

THE BULK OF THIS FINANCIAL AID CAME IN THE FORM OF COR UNOM IN THE AMOUNT OF P697,500. IN EURO 10,000 EURO WHICH WAS RECEIVED NOV 3, 2009.
SEPT 27. NOVEMBER 3.

SINCE THAT CALAMITY AND THE NEED FOR IT HAS PASSED THE EXCESS FUNDS WERE EARMARKED FOR REHABILITATION PROJECTS. WE WERE VERY CAREFUL IN RELEASING THE FUNDS BECAUSE OF THE ABSENCE OF A CREDIBLE REHABILITATION PROGRAM. THERE WAS NEVER AN INTENTION TO DIVERT THE FUNDS.

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING PO SA ACCOUNTING, UNDER THE ACCOUNT NYAN, RECLASSIFICATION

KASI PAG SINABI MO ONDOY. DAHIL WALA NA ONDOY, DI NA MAGAGAMIT YAN EH, KAYA NILAGAY SA CARITAS PARA MAGAMIT. FOR THE INTENTION OF MISSION SA CARITAS. KAYA NGA NASA CALAMITY FUND YAN EH.

THE REMAINING FUNDS, THE AMOUNT OF P1,492,716.50 WAS RETAINED IN A CALAMITY FUND AND WILL BE USED TO AID VICTIMS FOR FUTURE CALAMITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES WHICH IS PRONE TO NATURAL AND MAN MADE CALAMITIES. NATURAL AND MAN MADE CALAMITIES. THIS HAS GONE IN SUCCESSION. WE RELY ON THE DIOCESAN COMMISSION FOR SERVICE TO HUMAN PROMOTION TO FORMULATE STRICT AND IMPLEMENT PETITION PROJECTS

Kasi po regarding sa experience natin the finance council can also work with the cosh so that you can direct us sa mga nangangailangan

FUNDS FOR HAITI EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS. THE HAITI EARTHQUAKE HAPPENED LAST 12 JAN 2010. WE STARTED RECEIVING DONATIONS STARTING 25 OF JANUARY.

12 NANGYARI ANG LINDOL, 25 STARTED RECEIVING DONATIONS UP TO MARCH 4, 2010.

WHEREBY WE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF P862,514.17.

WE IMMEDIATELY ISSUED A CHECK IN THE SAME AMOUNT TO THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE OF THE PHILIPPINES ON 5TH OF MARCH AFTER WE HAVE MADE A PAYMENT THERE, WE SAW DONATIONS PICK UP, MAY PUMASOK PA DIN PO, 1ST OF JUNE, P168,891.21.

SAID AMOUNT WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE ARCHBISHOP BERNARDITO CAUSA, APOSTOLIC NUNCIO OF HAITI, APOSTOLIC NUNCIATURE.

C. FUNDS FOR MUNTINLUPA FIRE VICTIMS. THIS MUNTINLUPA FIRE HAPPENED ON THE 15TH OF MAY 2010. NO DIOCESAN SECOND COLLECTION WAS REQUESTED FOR THIS PURPOSE. NEVERTHELESS, ALL PARISHES MADE DONATIONS TOTALING P129,201.25. WHEN OFFERED THE AID, THE LAY COORDINATOR OF THE VICARIATE OF THE COSH MAINTAINED THAT DID NOT NEED HELP TO HANDLE THE EMERGENCY. THIS AMOUNT WAS TO BE MAINTAINED IN A CALAMITY FUND.

NOW IN COORDINATION NOW WITH THE VICAR FORANE OF THE VICARIATE, THE FUND WILL BE USED EVENTUALLY FOR FUTURE FIRE IN MUNTINLUPA.

PAG MAY NAGKASUNOG SA MUNTINLUPA. PWEDE HO GAMITIN ETO. IPAGDASAL HO NATIN WAG MAGKASUNOG

D. FUNDS FOR TYPHOON SEDONG HAPPENED 17 OF DEC 2011. ON DEC 20 THE DIOCESE RELEASED A TOTAL OF P500,0000. TO THE DIOCESE OF DUMAGUETE, P100,000, ILIGAN P200,000, CAGAYAN DE ORO P200,000. DONATIONS REACHED ALMOST 2,500 AH, DONATIONS REACHED 2,500,000 AS OF JAN 19 2012 .

PERO KASI NANGYARI PO KASI DITO BAGO PA TAYO MAG SECOND COLLECTION NAG RELEASE NA ANG DIOCESE NG 500,000. KASI NGA PO KAILANGAN KAAGAD. ANG TOTAL COLLECTION PO NATIN AY 2.5 AS OF JAN 19. THE DIOCESE THEN RELEASED AN ADDITIONAL P2 MILLION. ILIGAN P900,000 CAGAYAN DE ORO P900,000 DUMAGUETE P200,000.

A TOTAL OF 2.5 MILLION WAS THUS GIVEN AS AID. ADDITIONAL DONATIONS TOTAL AMOUNT P1,534,213 CAME 8 MONTHS LATER. THIS AMOUNT WILL BE MAINTAINED AS CALAMITY FUND AND WILL BE USED FOR VICTIMS OF FUTURE CALAMITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES.

2011 National Youth Day collection. This is a second collection every December 16, 1st day of simbang gabi. Total amount National Youth Day P175,000.

ang lista ng mga eto, ang mga nagbigay at di naman nagbigay. .

SA YOUTH DAY PO. I’M GOING TO. 1, 2, 3, 4…16 PARISHES PO ANG DI NAGBIGAY. SO NATIONAL YOUTH DAY, SECOND COLLECTION DECEMBER 16 1ST DAY OF SIMBANG GABI. TOTAL AMOUNT COLLECTED FOR NATIONAL YOUTH DAY P175,000. ONLY 30% OF THE COLLECTION IS REMITTED TO CBCP COMMISSION ON YOUTH. 70% IS RETAINED FOR THE DIOCESAN YOUTH MINISTRY. P52,639 IS USED FOR PAYMENT FOR CBCP EPISCOPAL COMMISSION ON YOUTH. P122,000 IS BEING UTILIZED FOR PROJECTS OF THE DIOCESAN YOUTH COMMISSION.

PALM SUNDAY. AGAIN THIS IS SECOND COLLECTION TO SUPPORT WORK OF EPISCOPAL COMMISSION ON SOCIAL ACTION, JUSTICE AND PEACE, CBCP NASSA, A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE IS REMITTED TO CBCP NASSA, AND THE REST IS MAINTAINED FOR THE SOCIAL ACTION WORK OF THE DIOCESE. 10 HO ANG DI NAGBIGAY SA PALM SUNDAY. A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF THE COLLECTION IS REMITTED TO THE CBCP. TOTAL AMOUNT P558,591.50. USUALLY THE AMOUNT P100,000 IS GIVEN TO CBCP NASSA, A CHECK HAS ALREADY BEEN ISSUED. THE REMAINING P458,591 WILL BE USED FOR THE PROJECTS OF CARITAS PARANAQUE IN COORDINATION WITH THE DIOCESAN COMMISSION TO SERVICES TO HUMAN PROMOTIONS

Diocesan quota. The diocese collects a monthly quota of 10% from the gross income. Yung gross income po natin, 2005 pa. Di na po nagtataas pa. Pero if we are going to look at your audit, people are very generous. Kung tataasan pa po natin ang quota according to the report of 2009 or 2010, tataas po talaga pero stop ng 2005. Kasi po, we are growing already in faithfulness. Wag lang po natin kakalimutan 2005 pa tayo.

The diocese collects quota from gross income to build up priest pension fund, to support the salaries of our catechists.

Una po ha ang pension fund. Kasi nga po, if we are going to think about our pension, kung sa eto po ang average natin ay 30,000 iisipin natin yung edad natin. Tulad natin di na kasya and 30,000 ilagay natin sa 50,000 sa level ng edad natin, sampu kami magretire, 50,000 per person a month, x 10, that is 500,000 x 10 months, that is 5 million a year. Almost. So ang mga young clergy tatanda na sila.

So that is the first special project.

Support for the salaries of the catechists. To sustain chancery operations. And the additional 2% is collected for the hospitalization clergy. Based on the attached report are the 2011 audit statement of receipts and disbursements, we have collected a total of 24.3 m and total expenses 19.2 savings for the year, 5 million

PROGRAM FUNDS. THE PRIORITY PASTORAL PROGRAMS OF THE DIOCESE ARE FUNDED THROUGH THE COMMISSION’S TRUST FUNDS. EXAMPLE, FAMILY LIFE, YOUTH, LITURGY, COSH. WHEN THESE TRUST FUNDS ARE INSUFFICIENT, THE PROJECTS ARE SUBSIDIZED BY THE DIOCESAN FUND. THE PROJECT OF THE DIOCESAN COMMISSION ON BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITY AND THE DIOCESAN COMMISSION ON CATECHESIS AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ARE FULLY SUPPORTED BY THE DIOCESAN FUND. THE DIOCESE INITIALLY WAS VERY LAX IN PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE DIFFERENT COMMISSIONS UNTIL SOME ANOMALIES WERE DISCOVERED.

THE BISHOP NEVER SAID THAT THERE WAS NO MONEY. HE REQUIRED THAT THE COMMISSIONS SUBMIT AN ANNUAL BUDGET IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT FUNDS WERE UTILIZED ACCORDING TO APPROVED BUDGETS. FUNDS ARE RELEASED IN TRANCHES. SUBSEQUENT TRANCHES WERE RELEASED WHEN PREVIOUS TRANCHES WERE PROPERLY LIQUIDATED.

Kasi po inaacounting po kami, diocese, so we need really, supports, we need receipts, and ah, supports.

Many projects and formation programs were successfully implemented for example, the formation program of the liturgical ministers are now free of charge. The formation program of catechists is continuing.

MRS. ANITA CRUZ HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE DIOCESAN FINANCE COUNCIL SINCE 2003.
THE FOLLOWING ARE HER FUNCTIONS AS FINANCE OFFICER.
1. REPORTS DIRECTLY TO THE ECONOMUS OF THE DIOCESE IN ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE DIOCESE
2. PREPARE ANNUAL BUDGETS TO BE PRESENTED TO THE FINANCE COUNCIL FOR VIEW OF FINAL APPROVAL OF BISHOP
3. DIRECTS THE PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL REPORTS AND SUMMARIZE FORECASTS OF THE DIOCESAN FINANCIAL POSITION
4. OVERSEES THE INVESTMENT OF FUNDS IN CONSULTING WITH THE DIOCESAN FINANCE COUNCIL AND SUBJECT TO THE FINAL APPROVAL OF THE BISHOP.
READS AND REVIEWS WHICH ARE ATTACH TO CHECKS FOR APPROVAL IN ACCURACY’S SAKE.
PRESENTS TO THE ECONOMUS ALL INVOICES TO
DIRECTS THE ACCOUNTANTS IN PAYROLL PREPARATION
MONITORS COLLECTION OF PAST AND DUE ACCOUNTS OF THE DIOCESAN QUOTA OF THE PARISHES
MONITORS AND CONTROLS THE FLOW OF CASH RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS
DIRECTS THE ACCOUNTANT IN MONTHLY RECONCILIATION AND USE MONTHLY RECONCILIATION IN REPORTS.
COORDINATES WITH AUDITOR FOR AUDIT
MONITORS SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AND ENSURE THAT THEY ARE REMITTED IN POSSIBLE TIME
MAKES SURE THAT ALL PAYMENTS SUCH AS SSS, MERALCO ARE MADE IN TIME
MONITORS OUR PAYMENTS OF INSURANCE, RETIREMENT FUNDS, HEALTHCARE

Bishop Jesse Mercado

That is our presentation. The floor is now open.