MANILA, Philippines- Nakita sa ulat ng Commission on Audit (COA) na ang provincial government ng Batangas, sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Gov. Hermilando Mandanas, ay nagkaroon ng P283.23 milyong unspent disaster funds, katumbas ng 45.85 percent non-utilization rate.
Sa 2023 audit report, sinabi ng COA na ang hindi nagamit na balanse ng Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) ay taliwas sa “objective of strengthening the resiliency of communities and enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities of the province.”
“The Province’s unexpended balance of the LDRRMF increased by P6,603,204.07 and was not optimally utilized to implement disaster-related programs, projects, and activities incorporated in the LDRMM Investment Plan, leaving an unutilized balance of P283,230,197.07,” saad sa audit report.
Kaugnay nito, sinabi ng COA na inirekomenda nito sa provincial government “to instruct the Provincial DRRM Officer to submit the province’s plan for the implementation of the unbalanced fund (P283.23 million) and submit a written justification, explaining the observations cited in the audit report.”
Inirekomenda rin ng COA na rebyuhin ang LDRRMF Investment Plan na binibigyang-diin ang wastong pagtukoy at pagpili sa partikular na priority programs/projects/activities upang pabilisin ang implementasyon ng mga ito at mapataas ang paggamit ng pondo. RNT/SA
