WASTED CHANCE: COA hits Capitol for delayed solid waste plan

By: Gerome Dalipe

ABOUT P4.79 million was allotted to 15 municipalities and one component city in Iloilo for their post-closure operation and management of waste disposal sites in 2018.

But the money was never released to the intended municipalities, based on the findings of state auditors who looked into the actual disbursements.

The dilemma delayed the formulation of the Capitol’s 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan, according to the Commission on Audit (COA).

It also delayed the closure of open and controlled dumpsite facilities, posing risks in the overall health and hygiene of the constituents, the auditors noted.

The delayed closure of open dumps even led to the filing of cases against certain municipal mayors in Iloilo.

The practice also violated Sec. 16 of Republic Act 9003, an act providing for ecological solid waste management the program, creating the necessary institutional mechanisms and incentives, the auditors said.

Sec. 16 of Republic Act 9003 (Solid Waste Management Act) requires the local government units to prepare its respective 10-year solid waste management (SWM).

SWM refers to the discipline associated with the control of generation, storage, collection, transfer and transport, processing and disposal of solid wastes.

The waste management plan gives emphasis on the implementation of all feasible re-use, recycling, and composting programs.

An evaluation of status on the implementation of the Capitol’s management the plan showed allocations of P8.5 million. Some P5-million was meant for the maintenance and other operating expenditures and another P3.5 million for capital outlay.

A Capitol representative confirmed the intended recipients were either unable to liquidate or implement the previous fund transfers and had no 10-year SWM plan or incomplete documentary requirements.

Records of the accounting office showed that only seven, or 19.44 percent, of the 36 component municipalities or city that received previous fund transfers were able to submit liquidation reports.

Post-audit of the liquidation reports also revealed that only the municipal government of Alimodian submitted complete documentation.

In the report, the auditors said the Provincial Capitol should have accelerated the release of fund transfers and ensured that the projects were immediately implemented.

“Specific timelines and targets should be included in the SWM Plan so that the division in-charge will have focus and be able to prioritize the long overdue post-closure projects” read the COA report.

Likewise, there should be periodically consistent monitoring and validation of projects to keep track of the status of implementation, the auditors said.

The auditors also urged all the recipient municipalities and cities to formulate strategies to speed up their compliance with the Solid Waste Management Act.

Likewise, the auditors asked the program’s coordinator to fast track the release of financial assistance, monitor and validate the actual status of all post-closure and management.

The provincial accountant is also urged to verify the propriety of expenditures against the purpose of fund transfer and program of work before crediting the liquidation.