The Commission on Audit (COA) called on the Bulacan provincial government to improve its income collection after it incurred P849.1 million in shortfall.

COA made the call after airing its dissatisfaction over Bulacan’s poor financial performance in its recently released 2019 annual audit report.

“As in the previous year, the PGB (provincial government of Bulacan) did not attain its projected income, a representation of inadequate collection efforts and budget planning resulting in shortfall of collections in nine income sources amounting to P849,100,740.07 and net unrealized income of P28,774,862.36 from collections with no projections, vice versa,” COA said.

The audit agency added: “Moreover PGB was highly dependent on the Internal Revenue Allotment to fund the PGB’s programs, projects and activities.”

COA said there was under collection of P849.1 million in nine income accounts that include real property tax, amusement tax, school fees, rent income and hospital fees, among others.

But not all tax efforts are gloomy in the province. COA said over collection of P37.3 million was realized from professional tax, real property transfer tax, clearance and certification fees and interest income, among others.

To address the audit issues, the state audit agency asked Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando to require the provincial treasurer to improve collection performance by ensuring compliance with government regulations and by adequately maintaining business taxpayers records.

In the same audit report, audit examiners also found deficiencies and defects in completed school buildings under the province’s infrastructure program. They noted that the defects were caused by the use of materials with inferior quality and poor workmanship.

“Two I-Build sub-projects amounting to P106,898,843.63 and P3,696,994.64, respectively were completed beyond the target date of completion thereby delaying the delivery of benefits to the intended recipients,” COA disclosed.

Further, auditors found “visible defects” in a road-sub-project that cost the provincial government P106.89 million.

In its examination of hospitals run by the province. COA found that some P8.48 million worth of hospital equipment donated by the Department of Health have not been utilized and were left idle since the day they were received.