COA issued report on alleged gov't shortcomings in COVID-19 supply deal -Angara

The Commission on Audit (COA) found several alleged “shortcomings” in the Department of Health and the Department of Budget and Management-Procurement Service’s (PS-DBM) contracts for the procurement of personal protective equipment during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sonny Angara disclosed this during the plenary deliberations on COA’s P13.5 billion proposed 2024 budget when Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros asked for an update on the special audit on the government deals.

According to Angara, the COA submitted nine books on the deals to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri last August 31. The report was received on September 19.

Angara said among the alleged findings that the COA included in their report were:

• The Department of Health did not appropriately exercise administrative control in ensuring the availability of PPEs and medical supplies.
• It failed to effectively coordinate with PS-DBM on the timeliness of the procurements, schedule of deliveries, and periodical consumption of supplies.
• The availability of suitable warehouses was not given due consideration.
• DOH did not exert effort in monitoring the liquidation of fund transfer to PS- DBM.
• The PS-DBM failed or had been inconsistent in observing the preliminary price scanning or preliminary market survey, particularly in determining reasonable unit prices and determining the period of availability and capability of suppliers to provide the required quantity among others.
• Inconsistent process flows, and price analysis excluded unit prices from other legitimate business establishments.
• No request for further negotiation from the two entities who offered to supply the contracts.
• Appropriate stocks on hand were not taken into account in consideration with the price scanning.

The COA special audit report also tackled the actions of several officials, Angara said.

Angara promised to provide Hontiveros copies of the COA special audit report.

In the last Congress, Hontiveros was among the senators who investigated the transfer of P42 billion in COVID-19 funds from DOH to PS-DBM. — DVM, GMA Integrated News