OVERSEAS Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac on Thursday, August 19, 2021, said the official involved in the procurement of P1.269 million worth of hygiene products is confident that he can explain the irregularities cited by the Commission on Audit (COA).
Cacdac said Owwa deputy administrator Faustino Sabarez III took responsibility for the procurement and expressed confidence that he will be able to account for the funds.
“Pinangangatawanan naman ni Sabares na maa-account, there will be a proper accounting of the expense,” Cacdac said in a televised press briefing.
“Meron pang panahon pang mag-explain para sa COA process, hindi pa final itong COA finding. At pangalawa, ako rin mismo ay magbibigay rin ng rekomendayson kay DOLE Sec. (Silvestre III) Bello. By next week magbibigay ako ng recommendation,” he added.
In its report, the COA said the procurement of P1,269,920 worth of hygiene kits, sanitary napkins and thermal scanners was doubtful as it was purchased from a construction supply shop that cannot be located instead of reputable drug stores and supermarkets.
“It is unlikely that these items were brought from a store which deals with construction supplies or hardware, considering that the Mercury drugstore is just around the vicinity of Owwa,” the COA report said.
State auditors said the items were overpriced. A hygiene kit costs P160 each while the sanitary napkins were bought for P10 to P30 per pad when it costs only P5 to P8 in sari-sari-stores.
Each thermal scanner costs P2,950 per unit when it is sold online for only P400 to P800.
The audit team also questioned the agency’s purchase of bottled water and snacks for a total of P300,000 from a caterer with a business address in Quezon City, when they can get the same products from a supermarket near their office in Pasay City.
The Owwa was given 60 days to rectify the inconsistencies and irregularities. (SunStar Philippines)