An audit of more than P12 million worth of infrastructure projects undertaken by the Baras municipal government last year has led to the discovery of deficiencies, including structural defects, in their implementation.
In its Annual Audit Report for the transactions of Baras LGU for 2025, the Commission on Audit said a series of on-site inspections conducted in February 2026 observed “alarming” physical conditions across multiple LGU-funded or implemented projects totaling P4.315 million.
For the construction of seawall in barangay Batolinao wort P1.293 million, the audit team said an evaluation of the collapsed structure revealed critical defects: the use of substandard concrete aggregates, particularly unusually large, smooth and rounded river stones instead of crushed gravel aggregates; inadequate foundation and scour protection, leading to the overturning of massive concrete segments; and, defective steel reinforcement detailing, with the collapse exposing thin and sparsely spaced, heavily corroded rebars.
“The defects of this coastal structure whether rooted in inadequate engineering design by the planning office or substandard execution and material substitution by the contractor defeated the project’s purpose of coastal protection,” the report stated.
It also noted that the seawall’s collapse left the adjacent vacant lot, intended for the construction of a barangay plaza, highly vulnerable to coastal erosion.
In the P1-M Upgrading, Completion, Repair and Rehabilitation of RHU building, a comparison between the actual condition of the facility and the approved architectural plans revealed various discrepancies.
Among them were the use of ordinary plywood in the ceiling instead of the specified fiber cement board, and highly deficient workmanship as shown by unpainted plywood panels, unsealed joints and exposed nail heads; defective or absent 63 mm roof deck water proofing topping that left the roof highly susceptible to water seepage; absence of water proofing on right side wall, with the latter showing bare, weathered hollow blocks and concrete with visible cracking; and an unfinished and improperly utilized Used Syringe House now actually utilized as unorganized storage area for garbage and debris.
“The deviations demonstrated that the contractor was unable to deliver the project in accordance with the agreed technical specifications,” the audit team stated.
It added that the existing indoor access ramp exceeded the maximum allowable gradient of 1:12, such that it functions more like a slide than a ramp.
“Consequently, it is structurally impossible and highly dangerous for a wheelchair-bound patient, a senior citizen or any person with limited mobility to safely ascend or descend this ramp without a high probability of tipping over, falling and sustaining serious physical injury,” the team stressed.
It said the flawed design or substandard execution that deviated from the approved plans exposed the LGU to safety liabilities and represents a potential waste of public funds.
Similar findings were noted in the improvement and repair of Nagbarorong Day Care Center worth P996,800.00, as the contractor used ceramic floor tiles that represent a slipping hazard, rendering them unsafe for active day care students.
A set of toilet and sanitary fixtures was not installed along with the specified narra wooden door for the “dapog,” the report noted.
The inspection of the solar lights along barangays Paniquihan, Salvacion and Guinsaanan leading to the Binurong attraction showed that a number of the 25 sets of 150-watt Integrated Solar Street Lights mounted on Hot Dipped Galvanized Finish poles with concrete bases have been taken down over the past year.
The team recommended that the local chief executive provide a technical justification on the use of smooth river stones, foundation depth and reinforcement design in the Batolinao seawall and direct the contractor to restore the collapsed structure at their own expense; direct the contractors of the RHU project and the day care center to rectify all defects at their own expense; and, together with the Punong Barangays of the three villages, conduct a physical inventory of the dismantled solar street lights and GI poles.
Three (3) other infra projects of the municipality also came under scrutiny by the audit team for material deficiencies, including unauthorized deviations from the approved plans.
In the P1-M construction and improvement of drainage facilities in barangay Salvacion, the team confirmed a resident’s complaint that their property had become a “swimming pool” during rains when the project was completed.
Inspection showed that the structure’s design indiscriminately channels runoff water from the upper portion of the pathway directly into the resident’s premises.
The team noted the severe water pooling and the glaring absence of proper catch basins, strategically placed outfalls or engineered weep holes in the design, which forced residents to manually drill a hole through the newly constructed concrete wall just to drain stagnant water out of their property.
“Instead of mitigating water flow and protecting the community, the project has created a severe nuisance, a health hazard and a direct cause of private property flooding,” it said, adding that the LGU’s accepting and paying for a project with such detrimental functional flaws constituted an inefficient use of public funds and exposed the LGU to potential claims for damages.
On the other hand, the team found discrepancies in the construction of Danao Multi-Purpose Building worth P4.495 million, including the absence of the requires stainless steel railings and PWD signages and the substitution of solid wood narra panel doors in interior areas with substandard, ordinary plywood doors.
In the P1.447 million repair and improvement of Multi-Purpose Building in San Lorenzo, the auditors noted multiple active leaks from the ceiling, creating a severe slipping hazard and damaging the newly installed interior finishes.
The report said the observations indicated weak project monitoring by the LGU and inadequate performance by contractors.
On the implementation of Programs, Projects and Activities under the 20% Development Fund, the LGU was commended by the COA for its significant progress that demonstrated effective planning and strategic execution that resulted in tangible benefits for the community within the established timeline.
Out of the total appropriation of P25.6 million in the 20% DF in 2025, the LGU utilized P20.4 million, for a rate of 79.97 percent.
However, an unobligated balance of P5.1 million remained at year-end, due to the zero utilization of P1 million for three (3) projects: the purchase of lot for socialized housing at Sagrada; installation of boundary markers, waves and breakers; and improvement of Abihao solar-powered water system.
In addition, four major infra projects being implemented had a total of P4 million in unobligated balances: construction of ABC building in Eastern Poblacion; construction of multi-purpose building in Bagong Sirang; construction of dog impounding building; and construction of vermi composting building.