Ched Rick Gatchalian

Article (news)

COA flags inefficient implementation of DPWH’s P138-B projects; P1.9B marked ‘completed’ found deficient

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — More than P138 billion in locally funded projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways in 2024 faced delays and other lapses in implementation, according to the Commission on Audit.</p><p>In its 2024 audit report, COA said DPWH was unable to efficiently implement over 2,500 projects due to “inadequate planning, detailed engineering, supervision, and monitoring.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>UNWORKABLE SITE CONDITIONS, DELAYED PERMITS</strong></div><p>The state auditors said that deficiencies were caused by unworkable site conditions such as unfavorable weather or inaccessibility due to the relocation of public utilities and communication facilities.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/29/coa-files-4-fraud-audit-reports-over-p297-m-worth-of-bulacan-flood-control-projects-1245"><strong>COA files 4 fraud audit reports over P297-M worth of Bulacan flood control projects</strong></a></div><p>It cited prolonged issuance of necessary permits from regulatory agencies and unavoidable circumstances during construction as factors that affected project timelines and disbursement of funds.</p><p>As a result, 1,435 projects worth P77.4 billion failed to meet their specific contract timelines, while 523 projects valued at P33.6 billion were suspended during the year.</p><p>The report also identified 491 projects worth a total of P19.2 billion with negative slippages of 10 percent or more.</p><p>There were also 114 projects, worth a combined P6.72 billion, that were unimplemented or had yet to start. Another 33 projects, worth P1.29 billion, had been terminated.</p><p>“Delays in infrastructure projects have broader implications for public welfare and government efficiency. Communities are unable to benefit from essential services, and the government faces financial inefficiencies and potential cost overruns,” the report read.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/12/2/tatak-pinoy-launched-gov-t-to-also-buy-local-1917"><strong>BIR files tax evasion cases vs contractors tagged in Bulacan flood control projects</strong></a></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>P1.9B IN ‘COMPLETED’ PROJECTS FOUND DEFICIENT</strong></div><p>The audit also revealed that infrastructure projects worth more than P1.9 billion were falsely declared as “100-percent complete” despite being found to have deficiencies upon actual inspection and validation.</p><p>In the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the audit identified 18 projects of the Lower Kalinga District Engineering Office worth P831.8 million and four projects from Apayao 1st DEO valued at P271.2 million among those with defects and deficiencies.</p><p>Similar issues were found in MIMAROPA, including four projects from Mindoro Oriental DEO valued at P64 million and five from Southern Mindoro DEO worth P9.2 million.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/12/2/tatak-pinoy-launched-gov-t-to-also-buy-local-1917"><strong>BIR files tax evasion cases vs contractors tagged in Bulacan flood control projects</strong></a></div><p>In Western Visayas, two projects by the Iloilo 4th DEO worth P29.7 million and P9.4 million were flagged for the same reasons.</p><p>For Northern Mindanao, the audit cited eight projects amounting to P532.1 million under the Cagayan de Oro City 1st DEO and another project valued at P208.6 million under the Cagayan de Oro City 2nd DEO.</p><p>&quot;It was also noted that contractors for 48 projects with a total cost of P2,186,293,417.14 have been paid with final progress billings and released for retention, but these projects are not fully completed due to unfinished works and deficiencies,&quot; the report read.</p><p>In the CAR, fully paid projects with defects included 12 in Lower Kalinga DEO worth P581.4 million, four in Apayao 1st DEO worth P271.1 million, and 13 in Apayao 2nd DEO worth P457.3 million.</p><p>In Central Luzon, the audit flagged 10 projects worth P435.4 million in Zambales 1st DEO and nine projects worth P440.8 million in Zambales 2nd DEO that were fully paid but delayed with no liquidated damages imposed on the contractors.</p><div> </div><div><strong>RECOMMENDATIONS</strong></div><p>The commission recommended that the DPWH address its inefficiencies by improving coordination with government agencies, local units, communities, and private utilities.</p><p>It added that contractors responsible for delays should face penalties, such as liquidated damages or blacklisting, while projects with negative slippages of 15 percent or more may be taken over for timely completion.</p><p>Moreover, state auditors advised the agency not to certify projects as &quot;100 percent complete&quot; or &quot;free from defects&quot; when deficiencies or unimplemented work are evident, and to avoid reporting inaccurate accomplishments in the Statement of Work Accomplished (SWA).</p><p>To prevent further delays, the agency was urged to thoroughly plan and study project sites, review designs and cost estimates to avoid overspending, and make sure that contractors have the proper equipment and technical skills.</p><p>Moreover, COA said the agency must implement strict monitoring and supervision of projects for all its offices.</p>

<p>More than P138 billion in locally funded projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in 2024 faced delays and other lapses in implementation, according to the Commission on Audit (COA).</p>

More than P138 billion in locally funded projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in 2024 faced delays and other lapses in implementation, according to the Commission on Audit (COA).

COA: P138B in DPWH projects implemented inefficiently; P1.9B marked ‘completed’ found deficient

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COA: P138B in DPWH projects implemented inefficiently; P1.9B marked ‘completed’ found deficient

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 03, 2025 08:58 PM PHT

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COA

DPWH

Flood control

Commission on Audit

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