COA gets documents on P44-B flood control projects in Bulacan
The Commission on Audit-Fraud Audit Office (COA-FAO) received on Tuesday, Aug. 19, the first batch of documents sought on the P44 billion Bulacan flood control projects implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The documents arrived via a bus and escorted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) at the COA’s Central Office Compound, Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.
The documents were turned over after COA Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba ordered the DPWH-District Engineering Offices and the Supervising Auditors and Audit Team Leaders of COA Regional Office III to conduct fraud audit on flood control projects implemented by the DPWH in Bulacan.
The Aug. 12 letter ordered them to "immediately submit to the COA-FAO all relevant documents in your custody necessary for the conduct of the fraud audit" and "ensure your availability to assist the fraud audit teams at any time during the audit."
The letter shared information that the DPWH implemented flood control projects nationwide with a total cost of P548 billion from July 1, 2022 to May 30, 2025. Out of the total funds for the projects, Region III received P98 billion which represented 18 percent of the shares, the letter also stated.
The letter added that Bulacan got P44 billion which is 45 percent of the total amount.
"Given the critical issues raised by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. regarding the implementation of these projects, particularly in the province of Bulacan, a fraud audit is an immediate and unequivocal necessity," the letter stressed.