COA flags OCD over COVID-19 funds, facilities

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has called out the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) over unfinished quarantine facilities for COVID patients and unutilized pandemic response funds.

In its annual audit report, the COA noted that the OCD transferred P713.529 million to 24 local government units (LGUs) in six regions last year for the construction of quarantine and isolation facilities and other pandemic-related operational requirements.

The audit body said only four LGUs finished the construction of quarantine facilities.

The municipal government of Taytay, Palawan reported zero accomplishment despite receipt of P24.63 million while the LGU of Libacao, Aklan had one percent accomplishment despite receipt of P67.5 million.

The municipal government of Magsaysay, Palawan had 10 percent accomplishment despite getting P12 million while the municipal government of Sta. Cruz, Marinduque had 15 percent accomplishment despite receiving P30 million.

”Non-completion of the isolation facilities within the target date deprived the intended beneficiaries of the needed facilities to curtail the spread of the virus during the pandemic,” the COA said.

It said failure of the LGUs to complete the construction within the deadline would result in the termination of the projects and reversion of the fund to the National Treasury as provided under Section 4 of Republic Act 11519 or the Act Extending the Availability of the Appropriations under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act.

The COA added that only 74.14 percent or P501.828 million in quick response funds had been disbursed or obligated from the P676.585 million that the OCD transferred to its regional offices.

Only 66.35 percent or P164.451 million of the P274.846 disbursed to regional units for COVID response was utilized, it added.

The COA said the OCD agreed to instruct its regional directors to ”meticulously and judiciously plan their procurement activities and act with urgency.”