Audit of COVID-19 -related spending sought

MANILA, Philippines — Senators urged the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct a special audit on all government spending related to the response to the coronavirus disease pandemic under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Republic Act 11469) or Bayanihan 1.

A proposed Senate Resolution No. 479 calling for an investigation was also signed by Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate finance committee chair Sonny Angara, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, and minority Senators Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan and Leila de Lima.

“Nobody should be taking advantage and making money from the COVID-19 crisis,” the resolution said.

“Congress early this year, through the Bayanihan Act, gave the government comprehensive powers, including the power to re-align and allocate billions of taxpayers’ money to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. Kailangan nating malaman kung ang tulong ba ay napunta para sa dapat tulungan,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said, adding it needs to be determined if help reached the intended beneficaries.

Under RA 11469, Hontiveros said the government is allowed to swiftly procure commodities, facilities, utilities and services deemed necessary for COVID-19 response with exemptions from the requirements of bidding as laid out in the Government Procurement Reform Act (Republic Act 9184).

However, various procurements made in relation to COVID-19 have been marred by allegations of overpricing.

Hontiveros’ resolution cited the government purchase of automated nucleic acid extractors for P4 million against P1.75 million purchased by the private sector, personal protective equipment (PPE) sets of P1,800 when the market price ranges from P400 to P1,000, and the importation of more expensive RT-PCR test kits from China and Korea while cheaper Philippine-made ones are gathering dust in laboratories.

The resolution also cited the purchase of allegedly overpriced PPE by the Procurement Services of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) and Philippine International Trading Corp. (PITC) while many health workers and frontliners have fallen ill from the lack of adequate protective gear.

“This health crisis should not allow us to relax our accountability measures. The people should be able to trust the government that no one is lining their pockets with taxpayers’ money,” she added.

The resolution also urged COA to present its findings before Congress deliberates on the 2021 budget. “We are anticipating massive allocations to address health, economic and social impacts of COVID-19. It is of critical importance that there be audit findings to guide legislators in our exercise of the power of the purse,” Hontiveros said.

The Senate had passed the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act or Bayanihan 2, extending the validity of Bayanihan 1 that lapsed on June 5.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomed the Senate’s approval of Bayanihan 2, emphasizing that the stimulus will aid the recovery of the tourism sector amid the pandemic.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the approval of the bill is a welcome development for the industry, adding that the swift passage of the much-needed legislation will help tourism recover.

Under the P140-billion Bayanihan 2, a P10-billion stimulus package will be allocated for the tourism industry, which is among the sectors severely affected by the pandemic.

Puyat said this would be used to implement the DOT’s plans and programs under the Tourism Response and Recovery Plan or TRRP.  – Catherine Talavera, Edu Punay, Mayen Jaymalin, Delon Porcalla