COA flags Ilocos Sur over P863-M disbursements

The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the Ilocos Sur provincial government over its questionable disbursements last year.

“Various disbursements with an aggregate amount of P863,581,260.88 were made even with incomplete documentary requirements, without the approval of proper officials and with deficiencies noted, affecting the validity, legality and propriety of the transactions,” the COA said in its annual report.

The audit body said 30 disbursement vouchers pertaining to infrastructure projects have no program of work, bill of materials, letter request from the contractor on the payment of progress billing, statement of time elapsed for work accomplished and contractor’s affidavit on the payment of laborers and materials, among others. At least 112 disbursement vouchers pertaining to procurement of various goods were not supported with delivery and official receipts, project procurement management plan, acknowledgement receipts of items as well as business permits and income tax return of the suppliers.

The COA said 34 vouchers relative to the procurement of services and 103 others involving financial assistance were not supported with documentary requirements.

The audit body said some of the purchase orders and contracts of service were not signed while purchase requests were undated.

The provincial accountant vowed to coordinate with concerned implementing units for the submission of the needed documents and completion of those with deficiencies.