ONLY four out of 22 isolation units funded by a P713.53 million budgetary release to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) were completed within 2021, endangering their preparations for a potential surge as unused funds are required to be remitted back to the National Treasury.
This was revealed by the Commission on Audit in the 2021 report on the OCD released last June 16.
“Slow implementation of the projects intended for the construction of COVID-19 quarantine and isolation facilities in various local government units deprived the intended beneficiaries of the needed facilities to curtail the spread of the virus,” the audit team said.
Records showed the P713.529 million was distributed to 24 LGUs in Regions 4A (Calabarzon), 4B (Mimaropa), 6 (Western Visayas), 10 (Northern Mindanao), 11 (Davao Region), and 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN).
Among the LGU recipients, Davao City received the lion’s share with P320.192 million.
Also getting big shares were Corcuera, Romblon which received P80 million and Libacao, Aklan with P67.5 million.
Auditors said none of them finished their respective projects within the deadline as the City Government of Davao declared a 78 percent completion rate, Corcuera at 80 percent, and Libacao at only one percent.
The four LGUs that complied with the project timetable were Malaybalay City, Bukidnon (P6 million), Midsayap, Cotabato (P10 million), Surallah, South Cotabato (P10 million), and Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat (P10 million).
The COA pointed out that under Section 4 of RA 11519 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, the fund releases are valid for obligation and disbursement only until June 30, 2021.
At the recommendation of the audit team, the OCD agreed to notify the LGUs with unfinished projects and low utilization that the unused funds be reverted to the Bureau of the Treasury.
