A LAWMAKER on Monday flagged cuts to the proposed 2027 budget of the Commission on Audit (CoA), saying it could delay the agency’s adoption of technology needed to strengthen and speed up government audits.
Party-list Rep. Iris Marie D. Montes made the remarks during the House of Representatives plenary deliberations on CoA’s proposed budget after Davao del Sur Rep. John Tracy F. Cagas, the budget sponsor, said the agency’s P17-billion original proposal was reduced to P15 billion in the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
The roughly P2-billion reduction was intended for technological innovations and new auditing methods, Mr. Cagas said.
The proposed budget no longer included P1.177 billion in Capital Outlay, which covered P184.617 million for buildings and structures, P161.523 million for furniture and fixtures, P5.6 million for transportation equipment, and P525.405 million for information and communications technology (ICT) equipment and software, Mr. Cagas said.
He also cited P254.42 million in proposed maintenance and other operating expenses requirements, including P213.686 million for semi-expendable ICT items and software subscriptions under CoA’s Information System Strategic Plan and P40.734 million for the Citizen Participatory Audit program.
Ms. Montes asked whether the exclusion of the Capital Outlay meant CoA would be unable to procure the proposed technology and equipment.
The lack of funding would delay CoA’s adoption of new technologies and auditing methods, Mr. Cagas said. — Pexcel John Bacon