COA flags DepEd over P 7.6B in questionable expenses
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has disbursed P7.6-billion worth of expenses without adequate documentation or legal basis, according to the Commission on Audit (COA).
“Various disbursements incurred by DepEd Central Office and its Regional Offices in the aggregate amount of P7,603,011,435.27 were paid despite inadequate supporting documents and/or without legal basis to support the claims, contravenes applicable laws, rules, and regulations, hence, casting doubt on the validity, propriety, and reasonableness of expenditures using government funds,” state auditors said in its 2019 report.
According to the COA, postaudit of the payments made for the P3.2 billion ICT packages of the DepEd showed that the disbursement vouchers were not adequately supported by documentary requirements such as official receipts, contract agreement and other bidding documents.
State auditors also flagged the DepEd for the payment of P194.66 million for various transactions in Capiz, Roxas City, Iloilo City, Passi City and Guimaras “despite the absence of the necessary documentary requirements.”
The COA said the DepEd’s disbursement of P772 million for the salaries and wages of four offices in 2019 was not supported by complete daily time records and other supporting documents.
The disbursement vouchers for the payment of the salaries of regular teaching and nonteaching employees amounting to P372.7 in Taguig and Pateros were not supported with complete documentation, the COA said.
It also questioned the P4.4 million disbursement for the contractor’s billing in Dinagat Islands for the electrification and modernization of electrical system due to incomplete documentation.
“Incomplete documentation resulted in the difficulty of evaluating whether government funds have been economically and efficiently utilized in accordance with laws and regulations, thereby casting doubts on the legality, validity and propriety of payments/disbursements made,” state auditors said.
