Revilla slams MMDA for underutilized budget for flood control projects

Sen. Bong Revilla slammed the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for allegedly underutilizing a total of P 118 billion budget for flood control programs, according to a report by the Commission on Audit (COA).

In time with the Senate Hearing on Public Works Wednesday morning, Revilla filed Senate Resolution No. 69, "A resolution urging the senate committees on public services and finance to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the reported underutilization of the budget for flood control projects by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

The veteran legislator also asked officials of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) regarding their stand and plan of action on the issue.

According to Revilla's resolution, the 2018 Annual Audit Report of COA stated the MMDA programmed 170 flood control projects amounting to P 878, 570.322.86.

However, because of lapses in the observance of provision of the Government Procurement Law and ineffective planning, MMDA was only able to disburse P 4,257, 138, 089.70 or 59.12 % out of P 7,201,019,579.00.

The issue of underutilization of funds by the MMDA has been observed by COA in the past. In fact, COA has made the same recommendations over the years.

BILYONG PONDO PARA SA FLOOD CONTROL PROGRAM NG MMDA KINUWESTIYON NI REVILLA

KINUWESTIYON ni Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. ang Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) dahil sa hindi umano nagagamit ang bilyong pondo nito sa flood control program sa gitna ng pagdinig sa Public Works ng Senado .

        Ayon kay Revilla, nasa report umano ng Commission On Audit (COA) na halos P118 bilyong pondo umano ang iniingatan ng MMDA na hindi umano nagagalaw sa kabila ng mga kinakaharap nating suliranin sa baha.

        Kasabay nito ay isinumite ni Revilla ang Senate Resolution No. 69, “A resolution urging the senate committees on public services and finance to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the reported underutilization of the budget for flood control projects by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

        Hiningi rin ni Revilla ang panig ng mga dumalong opisyal ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM)  kung ano ang kanilang tayo o plan of action hinggil sa isyu na kinasasangkutan ng MMDA.

        Ayon sa resolusyon ni Revilla, ang 2018 Annual Audit Report ng COA ay naglalaman na ang programa ng MMDA ay umanbot sa 170 flood control projects na nagkakahalaga ng P878, 570.322.86.

        Dahil sa kawalan ng solidong hakbangin sa pagpapatupad ng Government Procurement Law at hindi epektibong pagpaplano ay umabot lamang sa P 4,257, 138, 089.70 o 59.12 % mula sa  P 7,201,019,579.00. ang nagastos.

        “Mabuti nga at naobserbahan ng COA na may problema ang MMDA sa paggasta ng kanilang pondo at nagsagawa ng rekomendasyon, kaya dapat maaksiyonan ito”   pagwawakas ni Revilla.

http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2019/0904_revilla1.asp