COA report explained

This refers to the article of Mr. Michael Punongbayan entitled “COA: 4 GOCCs have unaccounted P3.787-B funds,” published on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014.

We would like to clarify some facts stated in the said article. Please be informed that the National Electrification Administration received from the Department of Budget and Management the total amount of P1.579 billion from the 2011 and 2012 Disbursement Acceleration Program to finance the Sitio Electrification and the Barangay Line Enhancement Projects of the government.

Of this amount, P1.546 B had been allocated/obligated to electric cooperatives of which P1.529 B was already released to 102 ECs and utilized to finance 2,354 sitios and 10 barangays or a total of 2,364 projects.

As of Sept. 30, 2014, out of 2,364 projects, 2,277 are energized; 30 completed; 18 under construction; and 39 for construction. These projects shall be liquidated by the ECs to NEA following the prescribed COA rules and regulations within the year.

NEA returned the unallocated/unused DAP fund of P33.34 M to the National Treasury in compliance with COA Audit Observation Memorandum No. 2014-018 dated Aug. 20, 2014.

We anticipated that we have provided you with sufficient data to explain the said COA Report. We look forward with gratitude to your continued support in enlightening various publics on how electrification has brought the lives of Filipinos in the far-flung areas to mainstream national development. — Judith T. Alperez, Director, Public Affairs Office, NEA