The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the National Housing Authority for a P140.347-millionexpenditure for its Balik Probinsya Bagong Pag-asa program in 2020-2022 amid the lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an audit report, the COA cited the deficiencies in the NHA’s utilization of its corporate fund of P105.074 million and its subsidy fund under the housing assistance program for calamity victims of P35.273 million.
“It is important to note that no data was provided regarding whether other expenses were charged to other member agencies of the BP2 council, thus, casting doubt whether these expenditures were properly charged to NHA and recorded in its books of accounts,” the state auditors noted.
At least P82.154 million was used on infrastructure projects, P39.5 million for the maintenance and other operating expenses, P17.134 million for media coverage and other related expense and P1.558 million equipment.
The COA told the NHA management to ensure that expenditures incurred were properly charged against member agencies, and to submit plans on the idle 12 satellite offices, three multi-purpose centers and other structures and equipment at the Balik Probinsya depot.
NHA general manager Joeben Tai received a copy of the 2022 audit report last June 30, and sent its letter to the Department of Budget and Management to request certification that a portion of the P1.2-billion special allotment release order (SARO) of P500 million was approved for the program.
The DBM, in its reply, cited that it was constrained from providing a certification since the SARO was in response to the request submitted by the NHA.
Executive Order No. 114 provided the amount necessary for the implementation of the order chargeable to the existing appropriations of the member-agencies of the council, the DBM said.
