By Ben Rosario The Commission on Audit (COA) has called the attention of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) over alleged irregularities in the procurement of goods and services amounting to P66.02 million. Commission on Audit (MANILA BULLETIN) In the 2018 annual audit report for DILG, the COA also chided DILG’s leniency in monitoring the submission of liquidation reports relating to super-typhoon “Yolanda” funds transferred to the Department of Public Works and Highways and various local government units. According to the COA unliquidated balances of the Yolanda Fund expenses reached P219.63 million and P839.87 million, respectively. Further state auditors demanded the submission of monthly progress reports on the nationwide information campaign on federalism that received P10 million from the national government. The amount was transferred to the Presidential Communications Operations Office which allegedly failed to submit the required monthly reports. In the report, COA has noted that five regional offices along with the Central Office (CO) did not comply with the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of RA No. 9184 in procuring several items. Records showed that the DILG’s CO spent P2,933,453.02 for the payment of fuel, oil, and lubricants through reimbursement; P43,081,473.96 for airfare payments procured through direct booking from airlines or travel agency; and P4,023,670.24 advance payments for contractors. The state audit agency stressed that the P43-million airfare for local and foreign travels paid by DILG CO did direct booking which deprived the government of the chance to avail itself of eight to nine percent discount, which is P3,395,682.34 lesser than the total regular cost of the plane tickets. Audit examiners have observed P4,600,054.02 for training requirements which were not specified in project procurement management plan (PPMP) and P1,751,234.45 inappropriate mode of procurement made by DILG-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The report also disclosed that DILG Region V has awarded P2,661,176.50 worth of contract to a supplier with expired certificate of registration in Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS). Some P4,6000,000 worth of contract beyond the bid validity period and aside from that, performance scrutiny, was posted beyond prescribed time and procurement process took longer than the maximum period, COA revealed. COA also flagged the same regional office over P1,065,750 worth of sub-contract arrangement and P303,694 purchases made through reimbursement. Meanwhile, COA called on the DILG to strictly monitor submission of liquidation report for the Recovery Assistance on Yolanda (RAY) program that has been funded with over P1 billion to facilitate the recovery and return to normalcy of Yolanda affected localities. Out of the P853.8 million in funds transferred to the DPWH, only P634.17 million was liquidated, leaving a balance of P219.63 million in still unjustified expenses. On the other hand, a total P839.87 million in RAY funds remained unliquidated on the part of the local government units that received money. “The non-submission of liquidation reports both by the LGUs and the DPWH can be attributed to the leniency of the management to monitor the status of project/program implementation at the regional level which is contrary to pertinent provisions of the MOA (memorandum of agreement) and COA Circular No. 94-013 dated December 13, 1994,” COA stated.