With just five days left for Manila’s current city officials, suppliers, contractors and service providers are facing difficulties collecting payments due to an inventory hold by the City Treasurer’s Office.

City Treasurer Jazmin Talegon’s office stated that payments are on hold to facilitate an inventory for the incoming officials, who are set to begin their duties on 30 June at 12:01 p.m.

This announcement has been met with frustration by businesses that operate on a credit or “deliver now, pay later” scheme with the city government.

One service provider, Concept and Information Group, expressed surprise at the development.

After nearly a year of processing vouchers for collection, and just as the payments reached the final stage of cheque preparation, they received instructions that payments would be on hold due to the inventory.

“Some suppliers uttered why was it on hold after delaying for many months and as the new administration is about to take over suddenly payment is on hold,” a representative said.

Concept and Information Group, which owns DAILY TRIBUNE, reported that two of its vouchers had been sitting in the cash division for five days without action.

They then received notice from “Miss Susan,” the division chief, that cheques required clearance from the Office of the Mayor before preparation.

However, an inquiry with the Office of the Mayor contradicted this new order. A top official, when questioned, denied such an instruction, stating it was the first they had heard of it.

The situation highlights persistent concerns about red tape in government transactions. The payment process involves numerous departments and desks, including the Office of the Mayor, City General Services Office, Budget Services, Accounting, Bids and Awards Committee, City Treasurer’s Office, Cash Division, City Administrator’s Office and the Bureau of Internal Revenue for tax payments, before a check is finally released.