Water agency admonished over delayed projects

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has admonished the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) over delays in the implementation of water supply projects amounting to P664.308 million.

The projects were intended for areas devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda as well as by the sieges in the cities of Zamboanga and Marawi.

“The slow implementation of the identified disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) funded projects delayed the government’s response to the needs of the recipients that would have lessen the impact of the disaster and restore the normal supply of potable water,” the COA said in its 2021 annual audit report.

Data showed that of the P1.25 billion that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released to LWUA for the implementation of DRRM projects, only P586.106 million was disbursed as of end of 2021, leaving a balance of P664.308 million.

The funds were received by the LWUA as early as from 2014 to 2017, and 2020.

Among the delayed projects identified in the audit report was related to the Yolanda Recovery and Rehabilitation Plan.

State auditors said, the DBM released P75.95 million to LWUA in January 2014 for the procurement and installation of generator sets, water treatment facilities and pumping equipment in areas in the Visayas that were destroyed by YolandaAs of end of 2021, the COA said only P64.74 million was disbursed while the remaining P11.22 million was yet to be released by the LWUA to concerned water districts.

“The delay of seven years deprived the beneficiaries the much needed assistance. It was not consistent with a policy of the state to lessen the impact of the calamity and help affected communities rebuild and go back to normal life,” the COA said.