City failed to enforce P17.64M in dev’t projects – COA report

By: Gerome Dalipe

DELAYS in the implementation of government-backed projects meant to reduce poverty at the grassroots level in 2018 implied “inadequate planning” on the part of the Iloilo City Government.

That’s what the Commission on Audit (COA) discovered in the procurement component of at least three Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) projects amounting to P17.64-million.

The project delays also displayed the BUB projects were not properly monitored and given priority.

“The noted delays also defeated the purpose of the programs or projects to immediately fast track development and deprived the intended beneficiaries of timely delivery of local service towards poverty reduction,” read the COA report.

The City said the non-completion of the program was due to the “variation of the sustainability plan, which means the fund balance was not implemented due to the “lack of material time.”

Thus, it defeated the purpose to immediately fast track development, as well as depriving the timely service delivery towards poverty reduction to the intended beneficiaries, the auditors said.

“Bottom-up budgeting” is a program under the Aquino administration that allows local groups, led by civil society organizations, to consult with communities and choose from a list of projects to implement.

The programs aim at ensuring implementation of priority poverty reduction projects as identified in the city or municipal level through participatory planning and budgeting process.

The program also seeks to increase citizens’ access to local service delivery through a demand-driven budget planning process and to strengthen government accountability in local public service provision.

In 2016 and 2017, the City Government received about P31.37 million for BuB programs sourced from the 2015 and 2016 General Appropriations Act.

These programs include the construction of a two-story standard evacuation center with amenities worth P7.5 million; the Integrated Community Food Production Program, P370,000; Yaman Pinoy of the Department of Trade and Industry, P700,000; and the construction of second-level evacuation facility, (P12.8-million).

But three BuB projects amounting to P17.64 million remained uncompleted at year-end, thus contrary to law.

In the report, the auditors directed the City Hall to monitor the implementation of the construction of the 2nd level evacuation facility to ensure its timely completion.

The City Hall has also been asked to correct the defects in the procurement component of the project and expedite the full implementation of the program.

The City Hall is also urged the conduct of proper planning, supervision and constant monitoring in the implementation of BuB programs to ensure the project is timely completion and execution.