Bogo told to justify P12M release

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Audit has asked the City of Bogo to justify the disbursements of P12 million from the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (LDRRM) Fund and P3.8 million financial assistance for typhoon Yolanda.

This after it found out that programs, projects and activities in the LDRRM Plan of the City were not quantified and the accomplishment reports submitted to validate them do not contain financial and physical requirements in violation of Section 12 of RA 10121 which could have facilitated the evaluation thereof.

Under Section 12(6) of RA 10121 otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, the LDRRM Plan shall be the basis in the allocation of the LDRRM Fund and encompasses the four areas of disaster risk and reduction management; disaster prevention and mitigation, disaster preparedness, disaster response and disaster rehabilitation and recovery.

Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr. in 2011 issued Executive Order providing among others, the composition of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

COA said a LDRRM Plan has been developed from calendar years 2011 to 2015 but was not incorporated in the 2013 Annual Budget.

For CY 2013, the city appropriated P15.5 million for its LDRRMF, out of which the amount of P12 million was reportedly disbursed.

Likewise, the city also received financial assistance amounting to P3,799,950 for typhoon Yolanda last November 7, 2013.

“Our verification also revealed that honorarium was claimed at P9,000 per month for the DRRM Consultant but no accomplishment reports were submitted to the auditor despite written and verbal requests,” COA said.

COA also said there were no accomplishment reports prepared for CYs 2011-2012.

“In CY 2013, an accomplishment report was prepared but was not reflective of what was planned and programmed and does not contain quantitative data,” it said.

COA further recommended that the CDRRMC adopt a comprehensive LDRRM plan to provide local needs for prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, rehabilitation and recovery in case calamities occur, thus reducing disaster risk.

The CDRRMC will review the plan for budgeting purposes, among others.

Likewise, COA said that accomplishment reports should contain quantitative data that would relate to the plan. — /BRP (FREEMAN)