COA calls out MMDA for finishing only 29% of flood control projects in 2022

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) only finished 14 out its 47 flood control projects, or 29.79%, in 2022, the Commission on Audit (COA) said.

In its annual audit report on the MMDA, COA said that four projects under the same Metro Manila Flood Management Project Phase 1 program are ongoing while 29 are still for implementation as of December 31, 2022.

COA identified the following as causes of the delay:

• supplier’s request for extension of deliveries;
• change in procurement specifications;
• delays in the procurement activities;
• revision of contract cost or contract duration;
• non-compliance of consultants in the documentary requirements; and
• relocation of site or project re-design

“Analysis of the implementation of projects/programs for Metro Manila Flood Management Project on a procurement level cannot be effectively conducted since there is no breakdown of projects/procurement that will tie-up to the total allocation per GAA (General Appropriations Act),” COA said.

In a report by GMA Integrated News' Raffy Tima on Unang Balita on Tuesday, MMDA chairperson Romando Artes admitted the delays and attributed them to the ban in connection with the 2022 local and national elections.

“The reason is number one, there is an election ban [on infrastructure projects]. Iyong awarding [of project], at pagsisimula niya, hindi kaagad nagawa,” Artes said.

“In effect, there was a four- to five-month delay in implementation,” he added.

Artes, however, assured that MMDA has been addressing COA’s concerns.

“I can say that 95% of the projects flagged by COA are already done,” Artes said.

COA, for its part, said the MMDA has agreed to implement the following recommendations made by state auditors:

• assess the programmed projects and activities per Annual Work Plan and Budget of Metro Manila Flood Management Project Phase 1 to ensure that the government’s commitment for an efficient and economic procurement process will be attained;
• reconcile the projects programmed under General Appropriations Act, Annual Work Plan and Budget and the quarterly status of Government Publicized Projects, Programs and Activities for consistency and reliability of information contained therein;
• address immediately all perceived project procurement/implementation issues/hindrances to avoid non-accomplishment of the planned activities; and
• require Project Management Office to strengthen its functions in closely monitoring the status/progress of the projects and activities to ascertain that the strategies adopted are responsive to fast track the completion and implementation of the projects.

For his part, Parañaque City Representative Gus Tambunting said the MMDA should do better. 

“As a result of the delay, the government had to shell out P27 million in penalties or commitment fees to the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank that finance the projects aimed at addressing perennial flooding of Metro Manila areas. While the government was 'fortunate' for being able to obtain funding from the two international lending agencies, the MMDA was unable to do its job in completing the projects as scheduled,” Tambunting said in a statement.

“For the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the restrictions have been lifted for around a year now, and this should no longer be a reason for any delays moving forward. Any agency should foresee these restrictions in its project timelines and takes proactive measures to ensure timely implementation, minimizing any disruption caused by the election period,” he added. —KBK/VBL, GMA Integrated News