The Commission on Audit (COA) announced it is implementing internal reforms to address the flood control project controversy surrounding the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
COA Chairman Gamaliel Cordoba said the commission is investigating its own ranks for possible involvement in the anomalies, while launching new safeguards like mandatory geotagging for all infrastructure projects nationwide.
“Fraud auditors also look into the possible negligence or complicity of our resident auditors on the ground,” Cordoba said during the Senate Finance Committee hearing on Monday, adding that findings from these audits are being submitted to COA’s Internal Affairs Office for possible sanctions.
Meanwhile, findings elevated to the Office of the Ombudsman have already resulted in the suspension of DPWH engineers implicated in ghost or non-existent projects.
According to the COA Chairman, the investigation covers the DPWH–Bulacan First District Engineering Office, whose resident auditors handled 11 municipalities and three cities. This workload was described as possibly having contributed to oversight lapses.
He likewise explained that COA Commissioner Mario Lipana, who was mentioned during a Senate hearing into the flood control controversy, has been on medical leave abroad since August 1 and has since extended his leave until October 30.
“While COA has no disciplinary authority over an impeachable official, we are fully coordinating with the Office of the Ombudsman,” Cordoba said.
The COA will now prevent conflicts of interest by requiring all its officials and personnel to declare any possible personal or financial interest related to their assignments.
Resident auditors will also be periodically reshuffled to avoid familiarity with their assigned agencies or local offices, while fraud auditors will conduct surprise inspections to monitor compliance and detect anomalies early.
“We recognize the limitations in manpower, but we are instituting stronger oversight systems. Our fraud auditors will conduct random checks to ensure resident auditors are doing their jobs,” Cordoba said.
The audit body is likewise drafting a memorandum circular requiring geotagging for all infrastructure projects, not only those under DPWH but also those implemented by other agencies such as the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Health (DOH), government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), and local government units (LGUs).
COA Commissioner Douglas Michael Mallillin explained that geotagging falsification has occurred in the past, where contractors take photos of projects but use incorrect location data. He added that satellite-based geotagging will be used moving forward to enhance accuracy and prevent falsification.
“We will pursue criminal charges against anyone found tampering with geotags or falsifying documentation,” Mallillin said.
The COA is also reviewing proposals to reintroduce pre-audit procedures for agencies with weak internal controls.
“If an agency has weak internal controls, we are studying the resources required to conduct a pre-audit, especially in terms of manpower and facilities, and we will balance this with the agency’s operational speed,” Mallillin said.
Tags: COA, internal, investigation, probe, reform, flood control projects, Philippines, news
