The Commission on Audit (COA) has expressed concerns about the Provincial Government of Bohol’s (PGBh) transfer of P55 million to various Local Government Units (LGUs) for Typhoon Odette relief.
COA’s report indicates that these transfers lacked the necessary Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs), which violates government regulations and increases the risk of mismanagement of public funds. The audit revealed that PGBh’s fund transfers, meant for implementing the National Housing Authority’s (NHA) Special Emergency Housing Assistance Program (SEHAP) for Odette victims, did not comply with Section 4(6) of Presidential Decree No. 1445 and COA Circular No. 2012-001. These regulations require complete documentation, including MOAs for inter-agency fund transfers.
The auditors found that MOAs were missing between PGBh and the recipient municipalities, as noted in the Fund Utilization Report (FUR) and Liquidation Reports (LR) for SEHAP-related transfers. This omission contradicts the documentary requirements set by COA Circular No. 2012-001, which mandates MOAs as supporting documents for fund transfers between agencies.
When questioned, personnel from the Provincial Accountant’s Office (PAcO) suggested that the documentation requirements could be overlooked during emergencies to expedite fund distribution. However, the COA audit team disagreed, stating that Section 4(6) of PD No. 1445 requires complete documentation with no exceptions, even in emergencies.
The audit report also pointed out that assuming MOAs were unnecessary was incorrect. Municipalities, according to the Constitution and the Local Government Code of 1991, have separate legal identities from the province, so any MOA between PGBh and NHA does not automatically apply to the recipient municipalities.
The lack of MOAs has led to unclear rights and obligations between PGBh and the LGUs, exposing the management to risks in fund utilization. Without MOAs, there are no clear guidelines for LGUs on how to manage payments to beneficiaries, which is critical given the SEHAP’s goal to assist 11,000 out of 131,413 affected families.
COA expressed concern that the absence of formal agreements could result in inconsistent implementation across LGUs and warned of the risks due to PGBh’s limited control over these separate entities.
Impact of Typhoon Odette on Bohol:
In December 2021, Super Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) devastated several provinces, with Bohol among the hardest hit. Nearly three years later, the aftermath continues to affect the province’s communities, infrastructure, and economy.
Casualties and Displacement:
The typhoon caused at least 111 deaths and over 2,040 injuries in Bohol. Approximately 61,010 people were displaced as the storm brought winds of up to 240 kilometers per hour and heavy rains, leading to widespread flooding and damage across 33 of the province’s 48 towns.
Infrastructure Damage:
Odette inflicted severe damage on Bohol’s infrastructure, with initial damage estimates around P10 billion. This included significant destruction to roads, bridges, and public buildings, impeding recovery efforts. By early 2022, nearly 4,000 houses were reported destroyed, though the actual number might be higher due to extensive damage in remote areas.
Agricultural Impact:
The agricultural sector suffered catastrophic losses estimated at P3.1 billion. The storm devastated crops and livestock, impacting farmers and fishermen. Recovery has been slow and underfunded by the national government.
Education Sector Struggles:
The typhoon also damaged 3,338 classrooms across 366 schools. Nearly two years after the disaster, only 17% of these classrooms have been repaired or rebuilt due to funding shortages. The Department of Education had requested P2 billion for full restoration, but only a small portion of this amount has been allocated for repairs.
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