COA Seeks Explanation from OWWA Over Hygiene Kits Bought from Construction Store
The Commission on Audit (COA) auditors have asked officials from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) over expensive hygiene kits bought from a construction store.
The COA has chastised the OWWA and demanded an explanation for purchasing sanitary items worth P1.269 million from a construction store and trading firm. The purchase of hygiene kits, sanitary napkins, and thermal scanners by an OWWA deputy administrator from unknown drugstores or supermarkets was questioned by the COA.
“Out of the P2,011,441.90 covered by LR No. FM-OWWA 07-10.4, the propriety and regularity of the expenditures charged to the CA (cash advance) of the Deputy Administrator totaling P1,269,920 is doubtful due to the awarding of the procurement transactions not to reputable drugstores and supermarkets,” COA said.
“This is an indication that OWWA’s resources were not expended in accordance with rules and regulations and is contrary to Section 2, PD No. 1145,” the COA added.
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According to the COA, OWWA paid P962,920 to MRCJP Construction and Trading in Pasay City for the acquisition of items. The establishment, however, could not be found at the address on the receipt.
“It is unlikely that these items were brought from a store which deals with construction supplies or hardware, considering that the Mercury drugstore is just around the vicinity of OWWA,” according to the COA.
The agency also expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that hygiene kits costing P160 were not itemized, despite the fact that napkins were purchased for P10 to P30 each pad. It is claimed to be more costly than the P5-P8 that can be purchased in stores.
Thermal scanners, on the other hand, are alleged to be sold for P2,950 each unit, despite the fact that they can be purchased for P400 to P800 on the internet. According to the COA, the agency also spent P300,000 on bottled water and snacks from a caterer with a business address in Quezon City.
“These items are available in supermarkets/hypermarkets within the vicinity of Pasay City,” according to the COA.
The COA directed the anonymous deputy administrator to explain and verify the transactions’ accuracy. On Wednesday, OWWA President Hans Cacdac stated that the COA decision is “by no means final.”
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