OVP says it will submit to COA documents on its anti-poverty program

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Vice President (OVP) vowed Thursday to submit all requirements needed by the Commission on Audit (COA) after it flagged some P28.189 million in the former’s anti-poverty program due to deficiencies like lack of official receipts, liquidation reports and progress reports.

READ: COA flags OVP project for deficiencies

Since 2018, the office of Vice President Leni Robredo has been assisting several local governments units (LGUs) after Congress allotted funds for its anti-poverty program, Angat Buhay. But the audit report said that 19 of the 29 local government units (LGUs) that benefited from the program have failed to issue mandatory receipts.

“Fortunately, these LGUs still have until December 31, 2019, to comply, as specified in their Memorandum of Agreement with the OVP, which COA has likewise noted,” the OVP said in a statement.

“Under the leadership of Vice President Leni Robredo, the OVP is committed not only to abiding by the rules set by oversight agencies but by its own internal controls—in a bid to implement a more prudent spending of government funds,” the office assured.

Robredo’s office, which got the highest audit rating from the audit body for 2018, said it continues to remind LGU beneficiaries of their obligations to submit requirements. It likewise clarified that LGUs were selected through a set of criteria that considers their localities’ needs or their record of good governance.

READ: OVP receives highest audit rating from COA for 2018

“Additionally, as observed by COA, we continue our efforts in gaining a deeper understanding of the circumstances in the localities—which include some of the farthest and poorest areas in the country—as well as in validating the necessity and implementation of the LGUs’ proposed projects,” the OVP said.  (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)