Floods there to stay

Residents in some flooded areas in Lapu-Lapu City may have to suffer a little longer until the drainage and flood control projects are implemented.

The Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (LDRRM) Office said the projects cannot be implemented yet, pending the completion of the ongoing concreting projects.

Also, the city government is now revising plans and will realign funds to what they consider as more important projects.

The city government made the explanation following the findings of the Commission on Audit that it did not effectively utilize its LDRRM Fund in 2016 due to delayed project implementation, thus it may not have optimally developed its capability for preparedness and mitigation in case of disasters.

The LDRRMO utilized only P70.9 million in 2016 out of the accumulated unexpended balance of P113.7 million since 2011 up to 2015, leaving a total balance of P42.7 million as of December 31, 2016.

“The underutilization of the LDRRMF reflects the delay in the implementation by management of its LDRRM projects due to poor planning,” read the 2016 audit report.

COA required the LDRRMO to prepare and submit an LDRRM plan but the office has reportedly not answered the audit team's request dated January 6, 2017 for copies of the said reports.

“It may thus be inferred that Management's lapses in the utilization of its DRRMF may be due to the absence of a comprehensive and integrated Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan/Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Investment Plan,” COA said.

Because of the said lapses, COA said the city may not have optimized its disaster preparedness and response capabilities and consequently fell short in its responsibility of fully affording its constituents the benefits of preparedness in the event of disaster.

During the exit conference, the LDRRMO said they welcome the observation and admitted that there are several projects from the 2016 budget that have not been implemented.

They also said some delays may be due to the involvement of other agencies in the implementation.

COA recommended that the city strengthen the capabilities of its DRRM Office to enable it to perform its mandated functions under the law, especially the formulation of an LDRRM Plan as guide in the utilization of the LDRRMF.