The Commission on Audit (COA) issued a notice of disallowance (ND) against the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) for irregularities pertaining to their acquisition of P1,272,457 worth of Covid-19 supplies.
In an audit released Tuesday, July 5, COA flagged specifically the OWWA Central Office (CO) for “doubtful charges” from a cash advance amounting to P1,269,920 made to purchase hygiene kits, bottled water, and snacks.
As per the auditors of the state, the flagged Covid-19 expenditures were procured from a “Construction and Trading Store and/or Suppliers” not recognized as reputable establishments.
The COA, on June 29, 2021, issued ND No. 2021-001 in the amount of P1,272,457.00 from an issued cash advance of P2,011,441,90 ordering the concerned officials of the OWWA and involved establishments to settle the disallowance.
The COA also recommended that–within six months of the ND issuance–the Deputy Administrator and accountable officer explain their side.
COA demanded the following from the agency: to explain why they had allowed a construction and trading store to procure the contract instead of purchasing the aforementioned goods from established sellers; to prove that OWWA’s expenditures for the aforementioned goods were made in good reason; and to provide a list of the purchased items, prices at which they were bought, an official invoice from the aforementioned supplier, and an inspection and acceptance report.
In the audit, it was clarified that the accountable officer of the OWWA had submitted to the demands of the state auditors.