THE Commission on Audit (COA) said the Davao City Government failed to utilize its development funds for the past four years, which is intended to achieve desirable socio-economic development and environmental outcomes.
In the 2016 COA annual audit report released last June 22, the City Government appropriated a total of P1,184,772,090.20 sourced from the city's 20 percent Development Fund and General Fund Proper worth P724,559,086.20 and P460,213,004.00, respectively.
Section 6 of administrative order 103 dated August 31, 2004, stated that the development fund must be completely utilized for the benefit of the citizens.
The COA's examination of the fund utilization report showed an unutilized balance of P234,621,445.77 as of December 31,2016.
Development funds in 2011 to 2015, COA said, also had unutilized budget worth P20,328,546.40.
Although the unused funds could still be used for projects as these are considered as continuing appropriations, COA said the opportunity of the residents in the city to enjoy the benefits at the earliest time possible had been lost.
"The unutilized funds could have benefitted the constituents," COA said.
The COA added the City Engineer's Office (CEO) explained to the commission that they had a problem in the implementation because some of the projects do not have title of ownership.
CEO Audit Team assured the commission to look for solutions to expedite and maximize the implementation of the projects. The audit team also claimed that they will enhance the monitoring and evaluation process on the development projects in the city.
"We recommend that all department heads should ensure that the allocated funds are optimally utilized for projects identified in the approved project plans in the city," COA said.