LOCAL chief executives and village leaders nationwide must exercise utmost diligence and scrutiny in their engagements and transactions, particularly when dealing with individuals and entities claiming they could help expedite the release of funds for local government projects.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos issued the warning after receiving alarming reports about unscrupulous individuals and groups going around various areas posing as agents of the DILG and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), claiming they can facilitate the approval and release of funds for locally funded projects.

“These incidents of poseurs claiming to be government agents pose serious threats to the integrity of government processes and undermine the trust and confidence of the public in the administration of government funds,” Abalos said in his advisory.

He stressed that the Department strictly adheres to established procedures and guidelines as to the release of funds, and any transactions and engagements that do not conform with such rules “will not be tolerated nor condoned and will be dealt with accordingly.”

Likewise, he reminded LGUs to exercise utmost caution and discretion when handling email correspondence related to government transactions, particularly in the Digital Request Submission for Local Government Support Funds (DRSL) in the DBM apps portal.

“Sharing such details poses a significant risk to the security and integrity of the system and may lead to unauthorized access and potential misuse of sensitive information,” he said.

The DILG chief instead urged LGUs to swiftly report any instances of suspicious or unauthorized activities to the Philippine National Police or the National Bureau of Investigation for thorough investigation and appropriate action.

They may also report to the DBM public assistance email address at public_assistance@db.gov.ph, hotline number 8657-3300 local 2542, or Usapang Budget Natin Facebook Page.

The DILG has previously released five other similar advisories from 2021 to 2023 firmly reiterating the paramount importance of adhering to established laws, rules, regulations, procedures, and guidelines in the release of local government funds.