The Commission on Audit (COA) wants the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to address various reasons for project delays worth P96.218 billion.
In a 2022 report, state auditors cited 2,395 locally funded projects that were delayed or non-implemented due to inadequate planning, detailed engineering, supervision, and monitoring.
At least P60.077 billion in projects were not completed within the specific contract time.
Another P27.473 billion in projects were suspended, while P5.114 billion were either terminated or set for termination.
Among the reasons were the delay included incomplete preliminary engineering studies, obstructions by electric and telecommunication poles, absence of construction workers and equipment, projects abandoned by the contractor, and natural calamities.
“Except for the COVID-19 pandemic and adverse weather conditions, the other identified causes of the delay in the implementation of infrastructure projects reflect the inadequacy of planning, supervision, and monitoring of Management relative to the project implementation,” the report read.
The COA said 653 infrastructure projects with a total contract cost of P20.718 billion were not executed in accordance with the provisions of the contract agreements, resulting in technical defects with a total cost of deficiencies of at least P369.172 million.
Some of the defects included major scaling and multiple cracks on concrete pavements in the Cordilleras.
Other defects noted were those resulting from the use of inferior-quality materials, such as cracks and potholes on the asphalt overlay on roads and retrofitting of bridges implemented by DPWH-Region V and the Sorsogon 1st District Engineering Office along Daang Maharlika from 2019 to 2021.
“The foregoing technical defects and deficiencies may compromise the safety of public, cause further destruction on the infrastructures, and ultimately result in the wastage of government funds and resources if not immediately rectified/corrected,” COA said.