COA recommends prosecution of Davao City DPWH officials, contractor in road project

The Commission on Audit (COA) has ordered the referral to the Office of the Ombudsman for prosecution, "if warranted," of the officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Davao City and the contractor in connection with the disallowed P10.8 million paid for a road project in 2010.

- By CZARINA NICOLE ONG KI

The order was contained in the COA decision that affirmed the P11.9-million notice of disallowance (ND) issued against the DPWH-Davao City District Engineering Office (DCDEO) in its payment to E. Gardiola Construction (EGC).

While the ND was affirmed, the COA, however, reduced the disallowed amount to P10,803,148.50 as there was a variance between the contract price actually paid to EGC and the COA’s allowable cost.

The COA said that ECG was paid P19,144,433.08 for the project described as "Rehabilitation/Improvement along Old Circumferential Road to El Rio, Jct., Davao City Diversion Road with exception, Davao City."