STATE AUDITORS flagged the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.(PAGCOR) for lapses in the implementation of a program for building classrooms nationwide.
In its 2020 annual audit report, the Commission on Audit said that there was no update on the status of 398 classrooms with an estimated project cost of P1.005 billion, which were supposed to be completed by 2018.
PAGCOR’s Matuwid Na Daan Sa Silid Aralan program is in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Based on the memorandum of agreement between PAGCOR and the two departments, the completion date of the project may be extended with mutual agreement of the implementing agencies.
Auditors noted that PAGCOR forwarded copies of extension agreements with DepEd and DPWH on Aug. 26, 2020 and was followed up on Dec. 23, 2020, but both agencies have yet to submit their concurrence on the extension.
It also notes that funds for the project worth P1.824 billion remain unliquidated by the implementing agencies despite the funds having lapsed for more than three years after the 2017 target completion date.
The DPWH has submitted liquidation reports of funds amounting to P613.43 million. However, DepEd has yet to submit its own reports despite follow-ups from PAGCOR.
CoA recommended in its rejoinder that PAGCOR consider taking alternative legal action against other implementing agencies for the possible return of unutilized funds if liquidation is not possible. — Russell Louis C. Ku