The Commission on Audit (CoA) has flagged more than P19 million worth of spending that the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) made in 2023 without complete supporting documents, rendering the transaction “doubtful.”

A breakdown of the expenses showed that OWWA spent a total of P19,431,600.02 on various undertakings, programs, and events, including payment for goods, meals, and accommodations, among other things.

The largest portion, amounting to P5.3 million, went to the Tulong PUSO (Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Pag-Unlad ng Samahang OFWs) program. However, this expenditure did not meet the required documentary standards in violation of Memorandum of Instruction No. 18-2020.

In addition, the Balik-Pinas, Balik-Hanapbuhay program, another assistance initiative, accounted for P3.2 million in disbursements.

State auditors found significant deficiencies in the supporting records, including missing signatures of recipients and discrepancies between signatures and identification card details.

Moreover, the audit team flagged the payment of meals due to OWWA’s failure to submit proof of attendance of those provided with food.

They also took issue with the grant of cash advances for OWWA’s traveling expenses of P605,888.77 which lacked an approved itinerary for travel, as well as for the P158,293.53 in groceries for the agency’s livelihood assistance without an acknowledgment receipt.

Another red flag was the P854,737.32 for the payment of salaries of job order personnel with no proof of attendance, service, daily time records and approved official business forms.