COA findings: Provincial government failed to implement 64 projects

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Audit has found out that the Cebu provincial government has 64 projects totaling to P90 million which were not implemented as of last year.

“Sixty-four projects totaling to P90,344,004.82 have zero percent fund utilization, thus, the projects for which these funds were granted were not implemented yet,” COA said.

The P90 million is 30 percent of the P305-million National Government Agencies (NGAS) funds transferred to the Capitol for implementation.

COA said the unimplemented projects include PhilHealth funds for Per Family Payment Rate (PFPR), PhilHealth Capitation Fees, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources–7 Rehabilitation of Seaweeds andAqua Farm, Department of Health Establishment of Provincial Establishment Center, and various Priority Development Assistance Funds projects, among others.

The audit body said that the P83 million unused PDAF which the province received from 2009 to 2013 must be returned to the national treasury as it is already declared unconstitutional by the SupremeCourt.

Also, COA said the P309 million Trust Funds from NGAS were placed in time deposit and special savings accounts which violates Section 21 of  COA Circular No. 92-382, “which rendered the non-implementation of projects which dates back as late as 2005 to 2013 more questionable.”

COA told the Capitol to implement the projects “so that the purpose for which (the) funds were granted is achieved, thus benefitting constituents.”

Also, COA advised the Provincial Treasurer against “investing unutilized funds” in time deposits and special savings accounts. — (FREEMAN)