CoA flags DA’s typhoon ‘Kristine’ aid

The Commission on Audit (CoA) flagged the Department of Agriculture (DA) for deficiencies in distributing funds intended to support farmers whose livelihoods were affected by typhoon “Kristine.”

State auditors particularly questioned the DA’s regional field office in the Bicol Region (RFO V), which had been allotted a total of P179 million in Quick Response Funds (QRF) under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

CoA said that most of the funding was meant to aid agricultural inputs for the Rice, Corn and High Value Crop Programs, a majority of which were undistributed to intended beneficiaries.

“Despite the procurement and delivery of various agricultural inputs, most items remained undistributed as of year-end, with several already delivered to RFO V or for delivery/distribution, yet reflected zero physical accomplishment,” the agency’s annual report read.

Based on the status of accomplishment included in the audit, the programs had no indicated distribution list and were not able to meet the physical targets of the agency.

In explaining the delays, RFO V reportedly said that the delay was strategic in nature, as it opted to align the assistance with “planting schedules, ensure product quality, and address logistical constraints.”

Undistributed

“The Management explained that the non-attainment of physical accomplishments is not an actual delay in the delivery of assistance but is due to the intentional timing of distribution,” CoA said.

“It maintained that such a timing does not constitute delay but is part of proper program implementation.”

State auditors, however, found that the justification went against the core concept of the QRF, which was to allow communities to recover after facing the brunt of a calamity in a timely manner.

CoA recommended that the DA “expedite the immediate distribution of all remaining inventory to the intended beneficiaries” while also submitting reports to confirm that the aid had actually been distributed.

It likewise ordered all regional offices of the department to ensure that the distribution of the QRF was in accordance with the guidelines of the Department of Budget and Management, reiterating that the funds were meant for immediate relief.

“Ensure that the QRF procurements/obligations are strictly intended for immediate relief and recovery interventions and are not treated as inventory for regular or seasonal distribution,” the recommendation said.