Mandaue probes undelivered rubber shoes

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City government is investigating the incomplete delivery of rubber shoes included in a P58.13 million school supply procurement after the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged the transaction.

City Administrator Atty. Gonzalo Malig-on clarified in an interview that the procurement, delivery, and payment took place during the previous administration in the first quarter of 2025, shortly before the May elections.

“Sa panahon to sa past administration, it was procured, delivered, and paid first quarter of 2025, just before the elections,” Malig-on said.

He said the issue involving the 17,100 school supply kits was inherited from the previous administration.

“Ni-assume si Mayor Jonkie (Thadeo Jovito Ouano) July,” Malig-on said.

He added that since Ouano is now the sitting mayor, COA’s report was addressed to him.

“Klaruhon nato it was an irregularity, anomaly, that happened was procured, delivered, and paid before pa nilingkod ang bag-ong mayor,” Malig-on said.

He said the city is now conducting an investigation in response to COA’s findings and recommendations concerning the undelivered shoes.

A transmittal letter from the Office of the Mayor, dated September 30, 2026, was forwarded to the City Legal Office for appropriate action.

“There is already a folder for that, we will announce accordingly kay unfair man pod if mag-una ko, but naa nay transmittal,” Malig-on said.

In its 2025 audit observations, COA questioned the full payment of P58.13 million for 17,100 school supply kits intended for Grade 1 to 3 learners despite the absence of rubber shoes from the kits distributed to recipient schools.

The procurement was funded through the city’s Special Education Fund (SEF) and covered backpacks, physical education uniforms, rubber shoes, and other school supplies.

The audit team validated the deficiency at three schools in March 2026. It found that while 3,000 pairs of rubber shoes were delivered in January 2026, about 14,000 pairs remained undelivered at the time of the audit observation.

COA attributed the discrepancy to limited inspection of the delivered items and assumptions about the contents of unopened sacks.

The audit team recommended that the city require the supplier to deliver the missing shoes or refund the corresponding amount, impose appropriate liquidated damages for the delay, and conduct an investigation to establish accountability.

During the audit exit conference, the city administration informed COA that the matter had been referred to the City Legal Office for investigation.