Creditors, contractors, and service providers of Manila City Hall awaiting payment for services rendered have experienced significant delays due to alleged inaction by the Manila City Accounting Office’s Financial Operation Division. This division is responsible for processing payment vouchers before releasing any payments.

According to a complaint received from Concept Media Inc., a service provider following up on a payment, their vouchers have been pending since April 2025.

The unit has been reportedly delaying the processing of vouchers due to some employees’ negligence, leaving documents unattended for extended periods.

A complainant expressed concern that the transition of city officials is approaching, and transactions made under outgoing officials may be left unresolved. This means that if the payments are not processed before June ends, it will likely be difficult for the incoming administration to act on them, leaving desperate contractors unpaid.

“Ang hirap po kasi sa simpleng initials lang ng mga empleyado ng Financial Operation Division ay inaabot pa po ng tatlong buwan,” said the complainant, who asked for anonymity.

As the transition date of 1 July 2025 draws near, there is an urgent need to settle obligations with current creditors. The continued delay in processing papers may be in violation of the Anti-Red Tape Act, which requires documents to be acted upon within 24 hours or returned to the sender if legal requirements are incomplete.