PDEA’s 4-year wait for bullet proof vests?

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Audit (COA) questioned the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for failing to deliver P47.52-million worth of supplies that the government’s anti-drug agency already paid for as early as 2007.

The Philipine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) paid DBM unit Procurement Service (PS) on December 8, 2008 the amount of P21,590,000 for the delivery of 590 units of body armors that its agents require in their hazardous operations against illegal drug syndicates, according to the government’s audit agency.

Up to now, COA said PS is yet to make a single turnover of bullet proof vest grades IIIA and IIIA9. (This happened during the term of DBM Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr.)

PS also failed to deliver to PDEA P13-million worth of incinerating machines, P4.75-million portable incinerators, and P1.2-million laboratory equipment. These were paid in full as far back as December 27, 2007.

PITC, Army owes PDEA, too

It’s not just DBM that owes PDEA various supplies and services, according to COA.

PDEA is also waiting for P35-million worth of various laboratory equipment and P3-million worth of 10 Belgian Mallinois dogs that it requested the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) to purchase in its behalf.

Total undelivered supplies, laboratory and office equipment and ammunition already paid for by the PDEA to the PITC amounted to PP59.95-million from December 2009 to December 2010.
 
The 51st Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army which was also contracted by PDEA to construct P2.99-million worth of multi-purpose center and fitness equipment, laboratory facilities and storage buildings as well as a PDEA Museum. These projects have not been completed.
 
“These…were needed in the conduct of the nationwide anti-drug operation of the agency. We recommended that (PDEA) management follow up and require PS, 51st EB – PA and PTIC to purchase and deliver immediately the much needed supplies, equipment and capital outlay and to refrain from granting additional fund transfers,” COA said. – Rappler.com