More than a year after the Gigmoto municipal government acquired a set of solid waste management equipment from the national government, the equipment remained inoperative and had been placed in storage.
In its 2023 audit report, the Commission on Audit disclosed that the ecological SWM equipment donated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) regional office in 2022 remained idle as of Dec. 31, 2023.
Under the Memorandum of Agreement with the local government unit in October 2022, DENR-EMB V intended to support the latter’s SWM plans and programs by providing one set of Biodegradable Waste Shredder (BWS), Rotary Drum Composter (RDC), Solar-Powered 4G Camera Kit, and accessories.
The donation was aimed at improving access to efficient and reliable delivery of SWM services to residents, improve waste diversion, and assist the LGU in the operation of its Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), among others.
As its counterpart, the Gigmoto LGU was supposed to provide the MRF or utilize existing MRF with minimum area of 100 sq. m., assign at least three (3) competent personnel to operate and maintain the equipment as well as provide adequate funds.
The MOA likewise provided that if the LGU fails to utilize equipment within three months from receipt, the EMB regional office reserves the right to repossess the set of SWM equipment.
An ocular inspection conducted by the audit team on March 5, 2024 showed that all equipment remained inoperative.
The report said that the shredder was stored in the multipurpose building, the composter was found at the NFA warehouse, and the camera kit was in possession of the Municipal Engineering Office, while the accessories could no longer be located.
Verification with concerned LGU officials showed that upon delivery, the shredder did not fit through the entrance of the building where it was supposed to be placed, with the building temporarily repurposed as residual containment area.
On the other hand, the LGU lacked personnel to operate the equipment and did not allocate a budget for its operation in the CY 2023 budget.
Also found to be unutilized were two completed projects implemented under local development plans and annual investment program.
The audit team stated that the 1st phase of the construction of the Day Care Center in barangay District 2 commenced in 2022, with the 2nd phase scheduled in 2023 with a budget of P1.05M under the 20% Development Fund.
A document showed that the project was supposedly completed on May 9, 2023 but the COA inspection 10 months later indicated the facility has yet to be utilized as it showed signs of neglect: a portion of freshly painted walls were smudged, cement residues were scattered on the floor, and the building was not yet energized although electrical lines were installed.
An interview with an LGU official disclosed that the center was already turned over to the barangay, which used it as temporary storage of materials for the construction of perimeter fence around the building under DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS program.
A similar project in District 3 which was completed in October 2023 was found to be used by the barangay but exhibited flaws in workmanship, the COA report said, affecting the full operation of the facility.
Leaks in concrete slab resulted in mold forming in the ceiling, the comfort room remain unutilized as wastewater discharges outside on the pathway while two light receptacles were not properly installed.
A teacher told the team that water leaks through the ceiling during rainy days, which usually lead to the cancellation of classes, disrupting school hours.
On the other hand, the COA discovered that the procurement of various goods and services was undertaken without the benefit of public bidding or any other mode of procurement and without the evaluation ande concurrence of BAC, with procurements mostly pertaining to Foundation Day and fiesta activities carried out through direct contract with suppliers or service providers.
The LGU also resorted to “shopping” as the mode of procurement in the acquisition of P2.3 million worth goods and services despite the fact that hardware materials and supplies, automotive supplies, various equipment, materials and supplies, room accommodations, venue rentals and catering services cannot be categorized as ordinary of regular office supplies.
The COA also deemed as unnecessary the LGU’s expenditures amounting to P555,067,72 for meals and snacks during regular staff meetings and conferences, including for meetings on events such as Foundation Day, Abaca Festival, celebrations, trainings, payouts to TUPAD beneficiaries, senior citizens, and others.
The other significant audit findings were: failure to fill up all of the three supervisory and 20 support level positions provided with P5.64 million in the 2023 budget; payment of registration fees totaling P445,100.00 to government organizations for seminars, assemblies and meetings attended by elected officials, with most of the payments not supported with government official receipts; and delay in the implementation of programs and projects with funding from government agencies.