COA, BIR Act on Anomalous Flood Control Projects

The Commission on Audit (COA) has ordered the inspection of all flood control projects in Bulacan, particularly those with huge fund allocations, as it conducts a fraud audit covering over three years of public works spending.

- By DAPHNE GALVEZ

In a memorandum dated Aug. 20, COA Chairman Gamaliel Cordoba directed Technical Services Office director Flora Ruiz to "designate technical personnel for the immediate conduct of technical inspections of all ongoing and completed flood control projects" in Bulacan from Jan. 1, 2022 to July 30, 2025.

The order instructed inspectors to prioritize projects based on contract cost, starting with the highest-valued projects.

It also asked inspectors to verify and document two key aspects: "physical existence and status" and "compliance with design and specifications." Under the first, auditors are tasked to confirm the physical existence of the projects and assess their actual progress against the approved work program and schedule, including videos and geo-tagged pictures as part of the documentation.

The second, meanwhile, directed inspectors to verify that the projects are being implemented in strict adherence to the approved plans and specifications, including basic evaluation on the quality of materials and workmanship.