MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has pointed out that 2,395 projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) worth P96.21 billion were not efficiently implemented due to poor planning and other factors.
COA’s audit of DPWH for fiscal year 2022 showed that a lot of projects were either delayed or not implemented at all, contrary to provisions in Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act, due to “inadequate planning, detailed engineering, supervision and monitoring”.
COA said that 1,798 items worth P60.07 billion were not finished within the specific contract time. Other projects suffered the following fate:
- 413 projects worth P27.47 billion were suspended
- 90 projects worth P5.114 billion were terminated or are for termination
- 94 projects worth P3.553 billion were not started at all
COA’s table showed that of the 1,798 projects that were not finished within the specific contract time, the singular office with the highest contract amount is the DPWH’s Regional Office in Mimaropa, with 71 projects worth P6.761 billion.
Collectively, the whole Mimaropa accounts for the highest cost of unfinished projects, at around P9.119 billion for 175 projects.
The most number of unfinished projects meanwhile was in Soccsksargen, at 281 projects.
“Perusal of the report on the status of projects showed that significant delays in the implementation of the projects were caused by numerous suspension orders, time extensions and variation orders issued by the DPWH offices,” COA said.
The DPWH meanwhile issued suspension and other orders due to the following reasons:
- Unfavorable site conditions caused by adverse weather conditions
- Road Right-of-Way (RROW) acquisition problems/issues
- Relocation/Obstruction of public utilities and communication facilities (Maynilad, Meralco, and the like)
- Pending issuance of permit/clearance from LGUs, DENR, DEPED, and from other agencies
- Modification and/or changes in feasibility studies, plans, detailed engineering design and program of works
- Slow/unsatisfactory performance of contractor
- Accessibility of the project site is dependent on the completion of the other project
- Demolition of remaining/existing structures and other clearing related issues
- Delays in approval of time suspension/extension and variation orders
- Inaccessibility of the project site
- Resettlement of informal settlers’ families (ISF)
- Unavailability of workable area caused by obstruction of ISF structures
- Overlapping of project/scope of works with projects implemented by LGUs, MMDA, DPWH ROs/DEOs, and other government offices
- Insufficient workforce/manpower, materials and equipment resources provided by the contractors
- Volcanic activities of Mayon Volcano under Alert Level 2
- Awaiting completion of ongoing construction projects for preceding phases
- Peace and order situation/insurgency
- Scarcity/non-availability of construction materials in the locality
- Late delivery of construction materials to project site
- Late release of funds
- COVID-19 pandemic – low output expected due to strict health protocols for all
mobilized manpower, minimal delivery of construction materials and minimal
utilization of construction equipment - Failure/late conduct of bidding
“It is emphasized that the causes/reasons of project delays need to be fully and immediately addressed by instituting remedial measures provided under DPWH DO No. 193 to avoid further extension of project implementation period and possible incurrence of additional project costs, and to ensure the timely delivery of services and desired benefits to the intended users/beneficiaries,” COA said.
“We recommended and Management of DPWH offices concerned agreed to […] ensure full coordination with other government agencies, among others, the LGUs and DENR, including the community and private utilities, to achieve effective and more synchronized planning and implementation of programs and projects,” COA added.