COA flags DILG over stalled P195-M Emergency 911 building project

The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in its 2024 audit report over a P195 million Three Storey Emergency 911 National Office and Command Center (NOCC) building project that has remained uncompleted for more than two years past its target completion date.

According to COA, the project's non-completion results “in missed opportunities to provide emergency response services and the inadequate delivery of mechanisms intended to address the need of target beneficiaries.”

The report said the DILG entered into a contract for the construction of the infrastructure, which includes a lower ground and roof deck, on 28 December 2020. The contract had an original duration of 365 calendar days effective 29 December 2020.

The contractor later requested a time extension, which was approved by the Central Office Management. An additional 140 days was granted, moving the deadline to 18 May 2022. However, COA noted that despite the extension, the project remained incomplete.

“Despite the approved contract time extensions, the project remained uncompleted within the revised target date of completion and Contractor has stopped construction since December 1, 2022,” COA said in its report.

COA added that the former DILG Secretary ordered an inspection of the project on 30 August 2024, which showed an accomplishment rate of 65 percent. A notice of termination dated 19 September 2024 was issued to the contractor, but auditors found no proof that the contractor received the document, nor any record of a comment or response from the contractor.