COA flags Samar LGU over TUPAD  program ‘deficiencies’

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the Samar provincial government over “deficiencies” in the implementation of a livelihood assistance program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for workers affected by the COVID pandemic.

In its 2021 annual report, the COA noted that the provincial government received P48.663 million from DOLE for the implementation of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para Sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD program under Republic Act 11469 and RA 11494 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act 1 and 2, respectively.

The audit body said 10 of the 26 cities and towns in Samar were not included in the TUPAD program.

The COA said 13 checks were issued to the provincial government amounting to P48.663 million as payment for the beneficiaries, but P24.989 million remained unliquidated.

The audit team also cited the lack of the list of beneficiaries as well as service or job contracts between the province and TUPAD workers.

It said the provincial government also failed to submit a certification from the local government unit, barangay or the Department of Social Welfare and Development that the target beneficiaries are underemployed or victims of natural disaster, calamity or armed conflict.

In the same audit report, the COA questioned the Samar provincial government’s grant of hazard  pay and special risk allowance totaling P31.226 million to public hospital workers despite lack of supporting documents.

“In view of the forgoing deficiencies, both the eligibility of the beneficiaries and the accuracy of the amounts of benefits claimed could not be established, casting doubt on the validity and propriety of payments,” the COA said.

In response, the provincial government said it would submit the needed documents.