COA flags underspending by OVP as Robredo now one year in office
By Kristine Joy V. Patag, Reporter
THE OFFICE of the Vice-President (OVP) in 2016 spent only 59.42% of its appropriated budget for financial assistance to indigent Filipinos, according to a report by the Commission on Audit (CoA).
According to its annual audit report, the OVP spent only P130,693,992.76 of P219,963,992.76 — less than two-thirds of its appropriated budget to provide assistance to indigenous peoples.
The balance of P89,269,007.24 “represents undelivered services that could have benefited more indigents/underprivileged Filipinos,” the CoA said.
Like President Rodrigo R. Duterte, Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo also marks her first year in her office, where she has launched her anti-poverty advocacy including the “Angat Buhay” (Uplifting Lives) program.
‘QUITE A CONCERN’
The CoA noted that spending of financial resources “is quite a concern for national government agencies,” adding that there is a need to “look into (their) absorptive capacity.”
For its part, the Public Assistance Division (PAD) of the OVP said medical and burial assistance benefited approximately 10,892 requesters/claimants.
“Had the balance of P89,269,117.24 been utilized for medical assistance, using the maximum amount of P25,000 per request, OVP could have already assisted or sent at least 3,500 cancer patients to chemotherapy sessions or in case of the minimum P3,000 burial services, OVP could have supported additional 29,000 burials,” COA added.
However, PAD personnel said the OVP was met with obstacles in the implementation of services due to technical requirements, manpower complement, geographical and demographical limitations and transition/adjustment period.
The CoA also said cash advances amounting to P185,826.74 were not settled or liquidated within the prescribed period.
The CoA likewise noted the OVP’s delay in the submission of financial reports and documents for 2016.
