DOTC asked to account for 762 missing computers

MANILA, Philippines - Nine lawmakers spent more than P60.9 million of their priority development assistance fund (PDAF) in 2011 for the purchase of 762 units of desktop computers donated to several schools in Metro Manila and in the provinces.

But in a report released last month, the Commission on Audit (COA) expressed doubt on whether the items were really purchased and delivered to the beneficiaries.

The COA asked the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to check if the computers have indeed been delivered to the recipient schools, as it noted the lack of proofs of receipt.

State auditors said not all of the equipment were recorded in the books of accounts of recipient agencies, and the serial numbers do not tally with the Invoice Receipts of Property (IRPs).

The COA report, covering the year 2011 and released on June 5 this year, showed Quezon City third district Rep. Matias Defensor Jr. as the biggest spender. He allocated P49.2 million of his PDAF for the purchase of 500 computer units and information technology (IT) equipment for schools located under his jurisdiction.

Records further showed that Rep. Victor Agabayani of Pangasinan spent more than P3.9 million; Rene Velarde of Pampanga, Albert Garcia of Bataan, and Jesus Crispin Remulla of Cavite spent P2.9 million each; Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City, Darlene Custodio of General Santos City, and Frenedil Castro of Capiz spent P1.9 million each, and Junie Evangelista Cua of Quirino Province gave P589,824.

“Verification of the JEVs (Journal Entry Vouchers) showed that the above IT equipment were already dropped from the books of accounts of the DOTC based on the Invoice-Receipt of Equipment (IRPs) and not on the corresponding JEVs of the recipient agencies,” the COA report said.

State auditors observed that there were IRPs involving more than 500 sets of IT equipment, signed or received by a single person who was not a beneficiary of the project.

The COA directed the DOTC to coordinate with the agency-beneficiaries and require them to submit documents to prove that the desktop computers and IT equipment were indeed delivered.

A DOTC official said they would look into the findings of the COA.  â€“  With Lawrence Agcaoili