Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 8) – The Commission on Audit (COA) questioned a total of ₱140 million spent by the National Housing Authority (NHA) on the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) program of the national government from March 2020 to December 2022.
\”It is important to note that no data was provided regarding whether other expenses were charged to other member agencies of the BP2 Council, thus casting doubt whether these expenditures were properly charged to NHA and recorded in its books of accounts,\” read the COA report.
The state auditors said ₱105.074 million was initially charged to NHA’ s corporate fund while ₱35.273 million was charged to the subsidy fund of the Housing Assistance Program for Calamity Victims (HAPCV).
The COA said the funds were spent on infrastructure projects (₱82.154 million), maintenance and other operating expenses (₱39.5 million), media coverage and other related expenses (₱17.134 million), and equipment (₱ 1.56 million).
It questioned NHA’s “unnecessary and excessive” expense for daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner served to BP2 availees, staff and guests, manpower assistance team, and staff of other participating government agencies amounting to ₱3.814 million.
“The cost per meal and snack of ₱240 and ₱135, respectively, is excessive considering the prevailing prices of food at the NHA canteen. Moreover, comparable meals and snacks from popular fast-food restaurants are significantly cheaper,” the COA said.
The state auditors said NHA requested the Department of Budget and Management for the issuance of Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) for the HAPCV in the total amount of ₱1 billion, stating that half of the budget (₱500 million) would be allocated for the BP2 program.
The DBM, meanwhile, said that it is constrained from providing a certification since the SARO was in response to the request submitted by the NHA.
The COA recommended that the agency comply with provisions of Section 6 of Executive Order 114 by ensuring that all expenses related to the implementation of the BP2 program are properly charged against the existing appropriations of the BP2 Council member agencies.
It also required the NHA to submit documents to support the release of funds for the BP2 program and its plans on the 12 idle satellite offices, three multipurpose centers, other structures or land improvements, and equipment at the BP2 Depot.
