Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 11) — State auditors have questioned Davao City officials led by then Mayor Sara Duterte for failing to carry out 65 infrastructure projects worth over ₱469 million due to various issues that could have been resolved during the planning phase.
In its audit report for 2021 that was released last week, the Commission on Audit said the money could have been spent on road, drainage, bridges and other structures.
Among the issues encountered were existing settlers on project sites, non-submission of copies of land ownership from barangays, and overlap with projects already implemented by the DPWH.
“All issues enumerated could have been avoided had the office concerned communicated with DPWH, studied project locations and required copies of ownership before giving the greenlight to proposed projects and submitting for budget appropriation,” the COA said.
Auditors recommended that funds be reverted from projects that overlapped with other agencies and that the development fund be closely monitored to ensure priority projects are implemented on time.
Auditors also questioned city officials over the low utilization of its disaster response funds, with a 42% utilization rate or over ₱518 million spent out of the total ₱1.2 billion budget.
Factors that contributed to the low utilization include skeleton staff arrangement due to COVID-19 quarantine restrictions, failure to start procurement process on time, and inadequate monitoring.
“The desired goals and objectives of reducing disaster risk and enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities may not be optimally achieved,” auditors said.
COVID-19 donations
Davao City also failed to provide documentary requirements to monitor the receipt and utilization of in-kind donations amid the health crisis.
Listed as donations to the city are various food items, clothing, LPG generators, protective gear, and an RT-PCR machine, among others.
COA said the donations did not go through the proper office. Guidelines dictate that in-kind donations are coursed through the City General Services Office but donations to Davao were received by the City Mayor’s Office and City Social Welfare and Development Office.
“The absence and/or deficiency of necessary documents, records and reports vital to the proper monitoring and control of donations received and issued exposed these to the risk of loss, mishandling, and misappropriation,” the report said.
