DPWH quizzed on P89-million expense

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Audit (COA) is questioning more than P89 million in expenditures of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in 2008 for being “unnecessary and irregular.”

In a report, COA said the department should direct concerned officials to explain or justify the disbursements totaling P89,561,370.02.

“We recommended that (DPWH) management direct the concerned officials to explain/ justify the unnecessary/irregular disbursements of funds and if warranted, cause the immediate refund of the amount involved from the claimant or from all persons who authorized and/or approved the payments,” the COA report said.

“Further, enhance the review process as well as supervision on the processing of claims to prevent occurrence of similar defects,” it added.

One of the supposed irregular expenditures was the overpayment of road right-of-way claims in Region 8 amounting to more than P16 million.

“The value determined by the appraisal committee on the lots affected of 8,975 square meters at P2,000 totaling P17,950,000 against P1,404,850.65 per audit was considered excessive by P16,545,149.35, which is disadvantageous to the government, resulting in an irregular disbursement of government funds,” the COA report stated.

There was also an overpayment of a P5.4-million “mobilization fee” in Region 9 to a contractor in Pagadian City for four projects although no mobilization of equipment had taken place. 

State auditors also questioned the P65-million payment for undelivered construction materials in Region 10 as well as P1 million in “relocation allowances” for officials and employees in Region 12. No relocation had taken place, according to state auditors.

COA also bared questionable expenses like those for unauthorized telephone calls and fuel for private vehicles.

Furthermore, state auditors questioned P108,500 in expenses by the Office of the Secretary for vehicle rental despite the fact that “the agency has many service vehicles which can be used.”