COA flags PCG over P43 million COVID-19 expenses

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has questioned the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s procurements worth P43 million in connection with its COVID response.

In its 2020 annual audit report, the COA noted that P35.2 million worth of laboratory equipment and other medical supplies were not supported by property acknowledgment receipts or inventory custodian slips to prove the items’ distribution to the end users.

The COA said inspection and acceptance reports as well as certificates of acceptance were signed, but the procurements were not supported by photos of the delivered items. Delivery receipts lacked the necessary details, such as brand names, brochures, manuals, model type, warranty certificates and serial numbers, it added.

“The absence of these documents may cast doubts on the regularity of the purchase of the items,” the COA said.

Among the procured items were infrared thermometer guns, pulse oximeters, stethoscopes, intubation sets, defibrillators, ventilators, hospital beds, generator sets, portable handwashing booths and sanitation sprayers.

The COA said additional medical equipment worth P7.87 million remain idle at the PCG medical service storage room since the delivery in May 2020.

The PCG explained that the equipment were originally planned to be installed at the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal, which was retrofitted as a treatment facility for moderate, severe and critical COVID-19 cases. However, the plan did not push through.