COA scolds Davao LGU over unused infrastructure, disaster funds

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has scolded the Davao City government for its failure to implement infrastructure projects with a total budget of P469.909 million and utilize disaster funds worth P711.824 million.

In its audit report in 2021, the COA said 65 infrastructure projects in the city for 2017, 2019 and 2020 under the 20 percent Development Fund have zero utilization rate as of Dec. 31 last year.

The report was uploaded on the COA website on June 28. A copy was transmitted to the office of former Davao City mayor now Vice President Sara Duterte last May 20.

The COA cited a joint memorandum circular of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of Budget and Management, which tasks local chief executives to ensure that the 20 percent Development Fund is ”optimally utilized” to achieve the desired socioeconomic and environmental outcomes for concerned local government units (LGUs).

Twenty-six of the non-implemented projects were part of the city government’s road development program, 20 under the drainage program, five under the water system program, three bridges and 11 classified under buildings and other structures.

The same audit report noted the Davao City government’s low utilization of its Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF).

Only 42 percent or P518.21 million of the city’s LDRRMF worth P1.23 billion was utilized as of yearend, the audit body said.

The COA said the low utilization rate defeated the purpose of the LDRRMF to reduce disaster risk and enhance the LGU’s disaster preparedness and response capabilities.

In response,  the city government said a meeting was held among concerned departments to come up with recommendations and agreements for a faster procurement system without compromising the required procedures and protocols.