MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the local government of Davao City, President Rodrigo Duterte’s hometown, for not using the funds allocated to build schools and other infrastructure projects.
In COA’s audit report in 2018, Davao’s LGU only used P74.48 million from the P292.15 million allotted for the Special Education Fund.
COA said despite the available funds, the local government failed to build 34 out of 54 schools, as per the Programming and Design Division of Davao City’s Engineer’s Office and Local School Board (LSB).
State auditors likewise spotted “zero utilization rate” of 27 infrastructure projects worth P102.65 million under the city’s development fund.
COA also called out Davao City for failing to implement solid waste management-related activities which contradicted the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 aimed at “protection of public health and environment.”
Only 28 out of 182 barangays have created their Barangay Solid Waste Management Committees in accordance with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
Classrooms, manpower shortage
COA said the classroom shortage could worsen if there is an increase in enrolment.
“The delay or under-implementation of projects may have affected the efficiency and effectiveness of the LGU and deprived students on sufficiently instructional space that could have been derived from the additional school building projects. Classroom shortage might worsen if enrollment projection continues to increase,” COA said.
The overcrowded classroom could also result in the “decrease in the level of student engagement and a decrease in the level of learning,” according to COA.
But the city department’s PDD said the government failed to build classrooms as there are only four PDD employees assigned for school projects.
The PDD also noted that ownership documents from schools, which are needed for the preparation of cost estimates, plan and program for construction of buildings were lacking. (Editor: Eden Estopace)