The leadership of the House of Representatives has asked the Commission on Audit to conduct a briefing on the reported audit deficiencies it discovered in the management by the Department of Health of the P67.32 billion government funds to address the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis in the country.
Public accountability advocate and Probinsyano Ako Partylist Rep. Jose “Bonito” Singson Jr., chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, has been tasked to schedule the briefing.
Singson welcomed the House leadership’s decision, saying that this will help clarify issues raised by the COA in its 2020 Annual Audit Report for DOH.
State auditors flagged the DOH for various audit observations in its handling of the P67.32 billion COVID-19 funds. Of this amount, P11.89 billion has not been obligated for COVID-19 expenditures in 2020. “We want to get the facts straight from COA and we are particularly concerned because the funds involved were among those allocated under the Bayanihan laws that Congress passed last year,” Velasco said.
The House leader said the briefing would allow House members to monitor the use of pandemic funds and develop corresponding legislation.
“The overall objective is to ensure that the billions of pesos Congress had dedicated to COVID-19 response—and any additional funds it provides in future legislation—are spent wisely and effectively,” Velasco said.
Aside from COA , DOH officials will also be asked to “explain and account for the pandemic funds” that COA discussed in the AAR.
Velasco said the House leadership would like to hear first the explanation of the DOH on the audit observations made by COA before making any conclusion.
The DOH acknowledged the findings concerning the funds and that it is already addressing the compliance issues and deficiencies the COA pointed out in its report.
“Considerable amounts of unobligated allotments totaling P11,890,217,589.50 as of December 31, 2020 and aimed at strengthening the Department’s capacity to address the COVID-19 pandemic and further buttressing the health care system was noted,” COA disclosed.
The audit team said this failure on the part of DOH has affected “the health care system.” IN connection with the payment of COVID-19 to health workers, COA said failure of DOH to comply with laws and regulations int he grant of various COVID-19 allowances has resulted in the payment of P539.29 milllion to health personnel despite lacking documentary support.
On the other hand, a total P214 million has been distributed to “unqualified recipients while P6.4 million has been computed as the amount of overpayments," COA disclosed.