COA flags VP’s office, MMDA on procurement

By Rio N. Araja

THE Commission on Audit (COA) has called the attention of the Office of the Vice President for the acquisition of equipment for its satellite offices which violated Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

The COA also flagged the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for failure to fully implement 33 out of its 47 projects and programs amounting to P825.318 million as of Dec. 31, 2022.

In its 2022 report, the COA said the OVP procured equipment worth P668,197 and acquired it without procedures mandated by the law. The OVP cited the purchase had the lowest price and was used for the establishment of its satellite offices (SOs) outside Metro Manila.

“As per inquiry, the immediate establishment of SOs was made due to Management’s intention to immediately expand services offered by OVP to various provinces. However, controls to ensure that government resources were utilized as intended and prevented from loss should also be considered,” the report read.

COA issued recommendations to the OVP that procurement transactions resorting to reimbursement must be stopped for defeating the purpose of the procurement law.

For the MMDA, state auditors cited delays in documentary requirements