The Commission on Audit (COA) recorded P1.54 billion in disallowances that were settled in Calendar Year 2016. This represents more than 200% increase from the P500 million that was settled in 2015.
Around 800 Notices of Disallowances (NDs) amounting to P1.3 billion were settled under the Education and Employment Cluster of the National Government Sector of the Commission.
The Commission has sought to improve the recovery of unsettled liabilities through various programs including the development of an information system to monitor implementation of audit recommendations issued by the audit team through Audit Observation Memorandum, Notice of Suspension (NS), ND and Notice of Charge (NC) as a result of their audit.
“We are focused on ensuring that public funds are expended or utilized according to laws, rules and regulations and preserving resources against wastage and unnecessary, excessive, extravagant and unconscionable expenditures. Despite the fact that the Commission does not really have enforcement powers, efforts are expended to enable the payment and settlement of the amounts disallowed. Increasing our efforts in getting the amounts disallowed paid and settled, and remitted to public coffers, is one way for the Commission to create a greater impact in governance,” observed Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo.
“There are many challenges but I am confident that the programs we have started will enhance the effectivity of our very limited enforcement mechanisms,” added Chairperson Aguinaldo.
In 2016, the Commission issued 4,775 NDs amounting to P4.5 billion, NS valued at around P9.10 billion, of which almost half was settled at around P4.06 billion and NC worth P365.22 million.