By Vince Angelo C. Ferreras, Reporter

THE Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) for several violations including excess salaries and many unimplemented projects.

According to COA’s 2018 audit report, only 14 of 61 projects were implemented last year. “Of the 61 procurement activities totaling P88,648,912.00, only 14 projects/activities or 23 percent, were implemented amounting to P36,074,123.13,” the report said.

“Apparently 47 projects or 77 percent, with a total estimated budget of P51,067,600.00, were not implemented at all,” it added.

But COA also cited BuCor’s explanation that the delay in the projects’ implementation was “due mainly to lack of material and lack of bidders.” The agency recommended the immediate implementation and completion of unimplemented projects and remittance to the Bureau of Treasury of all unused balances.

COA also noted that salaries paid to three deputy directors-general were not consistent with the approved organizational structure and staffing pattern of the BuCor Act of 2013. In accordance with that law, the three officials are only each entitled to a base pay rate of P86,227 per month.

“However, the three Deputy Director(s) General claimed their salaries for the month of November at the rate of P128,467.00 each based on the salary rate of civilian official as Assistant Secretary, which is inconsistent with OSSP (Organization Structure and Staffing Pattern),” the report said.

The auditing agency also reported that the representation allowance and transportation allowance (RATA) were paid to the designated Director, Directorate for Finance and Logistics (DFL), a position which is not approved by the Department of Budget and Management.

“Her designation (Bienvenida F. Tupas) as Director, DFL, does not entitle her to P17,000 RATA since this position was not among the position(s) approved by DBM. The foregoing updated organizational units prescribed by DBM do not include the position of Director, Directorate for Finance and Logistics, instead, the Finance Division with Organizational Code of 22.3 was retained,” COA said.

Sought for comment, COA said that BuCor “maintains that the ranks as provided for in Section 9(b) of RA 10575, otherwise known as ‘The Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013,’ shall be adopted.”

State auditors also flagged BuCor’s overstocked medicines worth P15.5 million.

“Apparently, actual demand of patients (was) not considered in the procurement of drugs and medicines, resulting in excess procurement of drugs and medicines amounting to P15,501,612.25. This is a manifestation of a clear disregard of the actual needs of patients or purchases of the same even without the need/basis to purchase,” said COA.

State auditors reported that an example of excess procurement is the medicine Verapamil, of which 99,300 tablets were received by BuCor, but only a total of 3,450 tablets were given to inmates during the year.

COA also called out delays in the public bidding and awarding to contract of suppliers. COA recommended that BuCor should “undertake planning and effective prioritization in its procurement and keep track of the movement of drugs and medicines to ensure safety stock levels and avoid excessive purchases,” COA said.

Also according to COA, two food caterers failed to comply with the food safety requirement stipulated in their food substance agreement with BuCor, resulting in poor catering services and endangering the health of inmates. The caterers identified in the report were Aurora F. Sumulong Eatery and V&J Trading.

State auditors said the caterers failed to comply with most of the food safety requirements including sanitary permit, employment of food compliance officer, employment of dietitian, health certificate of food handlers, and pest treatment certification.

COA said BuCor has already issued a notice to terminate to the two caterers.

“They (BuCor) further justified that they are observing due process and will update the audit team on the status of the said notice,” said the report.

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