TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Government auditors uncovered alleged ghost and defective projects implemented by the provincial government during the conduct of its regular audit on three projects funded by the 20 percent Local Development Fund and one project funded from the Special Education Fund (SEF).
In Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM) 2019-001 dated January 8, 2019 which was signed by Supervising Auditor Lea S. Daguio and Audit Team Leader Bernadette D. Pekas, the auditors found alleged poor planning, insufficient supervision and monitoring done by the provincial government during the implementation phase aggravated by deficient evaluation of the actual accomplishments of the 4 infrastructure projects by the assigned project engineer and inspectorate team that resulted to an underrun totalling to over P2.7 million.
Further, the AOM noted that proposed, existing or ongoing projects from other funding agencies, as well as the necessity of some items of work, were not considered during the planning phase of the audited projects.
On the construction of the Mangali-Banagao farm-to-market road at Banagao, Tanudan, Kalinga amounting to P2.29 million , the COA technical inspection report revealed a 100-percent deficiency for all items of work pertaining to the project contrary to the claim that all were accomplished.
The report added that all existing accomplishments during the inspection were implemented by the Department of Public works and Highways–Lower Kalinga District Engineering Office (DPWH-LKDEO under contract with a Construction firm.
Earlier, documents submitted in audit showed the project started on March 18, 2017 and completed on December 1, 2017; however, upon further verification, it was disclosed that a similar project had been implemented by the DPWH-LKDEO on the same road network which was completed on February 27, 2017, less than a month before start of the same project by the provincial government.
The AOM stated that it was noted that major items of work included in both projects are clearing, grubbing and excavation.
The audit team conducted an ocular inspection at the project site on March 22, 2018 but could hardly differentiate the accomplishment made by the DPWH-LKDEO and that of the provincial government, thus, the assistance of the technical audit services was requested.
On August 14, 2018, a joint inspection of the project was conducted by the DPWH and the provincial government along with the COA technical services revealed the project was 100-percent deficient.
On the continuation of road improvement at Bilag to San Julian, Tabuk City amounting to P2.98 million , the COA technical inspection report showed that the actual accomplishment of the project was only 87.07 percent contrary to the management certification that the project was 100 percent complete, thus, a total deficiency amounting to over P386,450.
Moreover, the AOM disclosed that physical validation also showed the grouted riprap constructed on the left side is higher than the mountain slope by 0.80 meters, thus, there is nothing to be protected considering that the road is still unpaved and badly needing maintenance, and that the provincial government should have prioritized the improvement of the road condition.
On the perimeter fencing at the Kalinga State University (KSU) amounting to P195,967.46 , the AOM stated that review of documents showed that the program was approved by the provincial government based on a project proposal by a former provincial board member and not from the KSU administration.
The auditors observed that the project was also accepted by Barangay Captain Virgilio Gunnawa when it should have been the KSU president being the primary beneficiary of the project, aside from the fact that the starting point of the project was moved since KSU implemented a similar project which started at the same station identified by the provincial government.
The AOM stipulated that verification disclosed that the project implemented by KSU includes the perimeter fencing of its Bulanao campus Phase 1 and Phase 2, with Phase 1 starting on June 16, 2017 and completed on October 3, 2017 while Phase 2 started on December 5 and completed on December 15, 2017.
The COA inspection report on the project implemented by the provincial government showed a deficiency totaling to over P30,629.07 equivalent to the cost of the unperformed 9 lineal meters since the total length of the project should be 57 lineal meters while the actual accomplishment was only 48 lineal meters.
On the renovation of the administrative building of the sports complex at the CARAA ground amounting to P1.77 million, the COA inspection report noted the deficiency totaling to some P9,411.44 and that roof leaks were also noted in some sections of the building which damaged the ceiling boards.
According to the AOM, the deficiencies arose due to the alleged failure of the provincial government to consider important factors during the validation of the proposed project as well as the alleged laxity in the supervision of the project during its implementation phase. On March 11, 2019, Pekas wrote Gov. Baac following up the provincial government’s written response on their audit findings and the AOM that was previously issued by the Commission on Audit (COA).
Herald Express tried to get in touch with concerned provincial officials for their comments on the AOM but no official response was received as of press time.
By HENT