OVP failed to track beneficiaries of disaster aid - COA

The Office of the Vice President (OVP) failed to track beneficiaries and identify the disasters targeted by its welfare distribution programs amounting to over P176 million in 2023, the Commission on Audit (COA) said in its latest audit report.

- By NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS

State auditors observed deficiencies in OVP's distribution of welfare goods for 2023, noting that the office failed to document the distribution list of rice beneficiaries, situational reports or mission orders to support the disaster that required relief goods and the list of beneficiaries validated by local government authorities that would have determined the appropriate amount of welfare goods to be distributed.

This meant that state auditors could not confirm whether the distributions ever took place.

"Various deficiencies in the distribution of welfare goods were observed due to gaps in the existing guidelines and procedures and control measures, which is not strictly in accordance with Sections 123 and 124 of Presidential Decree 1445; thus, the validity and occurrence of the distributions of welfare goods could not be ascertained," the audit report read.