Pasig River rehab wasted funds - COA

MANILA, Philippines - While ordinary Filipinos are donating hard-earned money for fund-raising programs like the Piso Para sa Pasig campaign in their desire to revive a once pristine body of water, the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) is wasting millions in public funds intended to be used to clean up the river, according to the Commission on Audit (COA).

The COA, in its 2010 report, said over P3 million worth of garbage disposal equipment are just rotting at the backyard of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) compound.

Other equipment, valued at P1.140 million, are still operational but remain unused for various reasons “thus resulting to waste of government funds,” the state auditors said.

The COA report said there are 12 pieces of Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) equipment stored at the DENR compound that have already deteriorated.

“Another five pieces of equipment with a total cost of P1,140,000 installed in three MRFs located at DENR, Mandaluyong and (Polytechnic University of the Philippines) PUP, Sta. Mesa, though still operational are no longer being used,” state auditors added.

The COA noted that in December 2008, a contract was awarded to Metro Waste Solidwaste Management Corp. requiring the delivery of 194 pieces of equipment costing P10,401,400.

But out of the 188 pieces of equipment delivered, only 45 pieces – costing P3,050,300 – were installed in four constructed facilities while five generator sets and 100 pedicabs costing P1,210,000 were returned to the supplier for safekeeping.

The state auditors said ocular inspection disclosed that the 12 units of MRF equipment were placed at the back of the DENR compound since March 2009 for safekeeping because the eight MRFs where these equipment will be installed have yet to be constructed.

“It was noted that these equipment are already deteriorated because of direct exposure to rain and heat. Moreover, the motor of one biodegradable shredder and the oven of the eight smelters could not be found at the time of inspection,” the COA report said.

The DENR’s general services chief told the that the biodegradable shredder and the polystyrene and plastic smelter worth P470,000 installed at MRF-DENR are no longer being used.

Also, a COA interview with the head of PUP-MRF revealed that the biodegradable shredder costing P270,000 given to PUP-MRF had not been used because it had no induction switch when it was delivered, while the smelter costing P200,000 was not also used because the volume of polystyrene in the university compound is only minimal.

The smelter installed at Mandaluyong’s MRF, valued at P200,000, was no longer used because the equipment emits a foul odor and is not environment-friendly, the COA said.

The state auditors recommended that the project development officer who accepted the MRF equipment and the property officer explain in writing why they should not be held personally liable for neglecting to safeguard the MRF equipment stored at the DENR backyard.

The COA said the MRF equipment given to MRF-DENR should be transferred to local government units located along the Pasig River that have already existing MRF projects so that the equipment can be put to good use.