Fast-track social service delivery, Davao City urged

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has urged the city government of Davao City to speed up the implementation of its disaster preparedness programs as well as the delivery of social services to remote and conflict-affected communities.

The audit body said Davao City has a “very low percentage” of budget utilization last year.

A report published on the COA website on Monday showed that as of December 2017, Davao City spent only 23.70 percent or P171.98 million of its P725.62 million fund for disaster response.

The underspending resulted in idle funds of P553.64 million and deprived the people of benefits, the COA said.

It attributed the low spending to the city government’s delayed preparation of its disaster reduction and management plan.

It said the plan was submitted for approval to the local disaster risk reduction and management council (LDRRMC) only on Nov. 27.

The report did not mention when the LDRRMC approved the plan, although it said it affected the implementation of programs and projects for the year.