GOVERNMENT auditors have told municipal officials of Bubong, Lanao del Sur to submit a report on the utilization of its P10-million Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) for 2019 after finding that P7.015 million in mitigation fund was “fully exhausted,” leaving a balance of only P3 million as Quick Response Fund.
The audit team said the municipal government failed to submit the required Annual LDRRMF Investment Plan as well as the monthly report on utilization.
“During the audit, we noted that the mitigation fund was fully exhausted by the LGU (but) appropriateness and details of the expenditures cannot be evaluated due to non-preparation and non-submission of the Annual LDRRMF Investment Plan,” it reported.
During an exit conference with COA auditors, the municipal government concurred with the recommendation to prepare and submit the 2020 LDRRMF Investment Plan and subsequent documentation.
Under Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System Law, the municipal disaster management office is required to prepare the LDRRMF Investment Plan proposing how the resources will be managed and providing a system for monitoring.
The LDRRMF is equivalent to 5 percent of the LGU’s estimated total annual revenue that is set aside for emergency preparedness activities and procurement of necessary supplies and equipment.
Auditors said while the municipality submitted a municipal disaster management plan for 2019 to 2023, it has failed to comply with the condition to submit the annual local disaster investment plan.
The audit team said in the absence of the investment plan and the monthly report, it was unable to monitor and evaluate whether the mitigation fund wad properly spent.
It called on the municipal mayor to “strictly oversee the preparation and submission” of the LDRRMF Investment Plan and direct the municipal accountant, in coordination with the municipal disaster management officer, to submit a full report on fund utilization.
