P557.8M projects unimplemented
The Commission on Audit has questioned the P557.8 million worth of infrastructure projects in Cebu City that remain unimplemented.
The projects include, among others, the construction of Phase 2 of Cebu City Medical Center building worth P300 million, the rehabilitation of the Inayawan Landfill worth P85 million; face lifting of industrial roads worth P72 million, renovation of the Cebu City condominium worth P26.8 million, construction of Portland cement pavement worth P14 million, and renovation of the Cebu City Operation Second Chance worth P5 million, and fencing of the South Road Properties worth P12 million.
In her February 23 Audit Observation Memorandum, COA Supervising Auditor Cymbeline Celia Uy and State Auditor IV Maria Daisy Bercede said the failure to implement these projects has deprived residents of a timely and maximum use of the projects.
“The non-implementation of the 25 infrastructure projects deprived the intended beneficiaries of the timely and maximum use of the projects and likewise hinders the uplifting of the economic and social condition of its constituents,” she said.
Of the 26 development projects in 2017, only one project worth P1.8 million was implemented.
In an answer to COA, Cebu City Engineer Kenneth Enriquez cited several reasons why the projects have not been implemented – the locational clearance has been put on hold, the Deed of Donation has not been submitted by the barangay, the mayor is yet to sign the program of works and estimates, and that the budgets for the projects are too small for them to be implemented.
As for the P300 million budget for Phase 2 of CCMC, the programs of works and estimates is put on hold since there’s an ongoing reconciliation of remaining works for Phase 1.
As far as the P85 million for the rehabilitation and closure of Inayawan landfill is concerned, the city is still working and processing the locational clearance and building permit.
“We recommend that full implementation of projects be made so that the desired services and benefits be delivered to its beneficiaries on a timely manner,” reads a portion of the four-page memorandum.
COA also recommended that the city government monitor the implementation of the projects and to assess the rate of progress of project implementation in order to achieve the desired level of efficiency.
COA noted that the Local Government Code mandates each Local Government Unit to appropriate in the Annual Budget no less than 20 percent of its Annual Internal Revenue Allotment for development projects.