Money kept in a vault at the Sagay City Treasurer’s Office was found to be missing.

Funds purportedly lost were confirmed after medical frontliners in Sagay City, Province of Negros Occidental complained about the delay in the release of their Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) for their service during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sagay City Mayor Narciso Javelosa, Jr. called up City Treasurer Juvy Pinongan to inquire on the said non-release of the allowance.

According to Sagay City Administrator Ryan Bonghanoy, the health workers expected the release of their HEA worth P7.3 million since August 27, 2024. The amount is part of at least P22 million allocated for HEA. But when a vault at the City Treasurer’s Office was opened, it was reported to be empty.

A second vault could not be opened because Pinongan forgot allegedly the number combination to unlock the vault.

As of this posting, an investigation ordered by the mayor has started.

In order to facilitate distribution of said allowance to the health workers, the Local Government Unit of Sagay City has to look for other sources of funds.

The news team tried to seek a comment from the city treasurer, but Pinongan refused while the investigation is ongoing.