Only 1.16% of disaster response items delivered to OCD in 2017 – COA

MANILA, Philippines – Of the P443.5 million worth of disaster response items and office supplies purchased by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in 2017, only 1.16% was distributed by the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM).

According to the Commission on Audit (COA), “only P5,111,564.12 or 1.16% of the total transferred funds of P443,511,649.81 was delivered during the year, leaving a balance of P438,400,085.69.”

Despite the undelivered supplies, the OCD also transferred an additional P267.975 million to the PS-DBM. This was done through the issuance of 8 checks, which were to be used for the purchase of non-food items (NFIs).

NFIs, which are essential in disaster response, include items such as mattresses, blankets, plastic sheets, water containers, cooking utensils, and hygiene kits.

There was zero delivery, however, of the NFIs.

This was also done despite failure to deliver NFIs from 2016. COA said undelivered NFIs were worth P171.825 million as of year-end 2016. In 2017, only P1.868 million of the previous year’s total were delivered.

Undelivered office supplies

Orders for P3.373 million worth of office supplies were also placed from April to October 2017. This, again, was done despite state auditors flagging P338,428 worth of undelivered office supplies in 2016.

In 2017, the OCD “transferred the total amount of P271,347,902.05 to PS-DBM for the procurement of office supplies and non-food items for distribution to disaster victims, in addition to prior years’ balance of P172,163,747.76,” COA said.

The OCD took note of COA’s observations and agreed to “make representations with PS-DBM for the immediate delivery of requisitioned goods for CY 2017.”

COA also said the PS-DBM should refund the OCD for undelivered items. – Rappler.com