THE Commission on Audit has lifted notices of disallowance issued way back in 2015 against eight public works projects in Puerto Princesa City worth P50.18 million funded by royalties from the Malampaya-Camago gas field operations.
Relieved from liability were former city mayor Edward Hagedorn, accountant Nanette Dario, treasurer Armando Abre, assistant treasurer Ma. Corazon Abayari, assistant city administrator Jessie Tabang, and Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) members Agustin Rocamora, Vicente Licerio Jr., Ruben Francisco, Alfredo Sy, and Sergio Tapalla.
Covered by the COA ruling were the NDs issued against the P18.11 million repair work on the Sabang Wharf, P18.23 million concreting of Macarascas-Sabang Road, P5.87 million public market building, P2.79 million completion of Valencia and H. Mendoza streets, P1.69 million two-level six-classroom school building, P1.66 million covered court, P1.26 million school building in Sitio Tabarungis, and P568,176 repair of Mangingisda Satellite Clinic — all started between 2008 to 2010.
Government auditors disallowed the transactions on the ground that the Invitations to Apply for Eligibility and to Bid (IAEBs) were not posted on the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) as required under RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.
In their appeal, the former city officials explained that it was impossible to post the contracts and related documents on PhilGEPS because it was only in January 2011 that Puerto Princesa became connected.
Prior to this, the city had non-existent information technology infrastructure.
The city executives added that the Special Audit Team that reviewed all releases of amounts under the Malampaya Fund did not even mention non-compliance on their part regarding non-compliance with the Procurement Law.
Likewise, they argued that the transactions were published in newspapers of general circulation and the city’s official website.
