KAWIT, Cavite — The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the local government of Kawit for failing to utilize P13.2 million in disaster funds from previous years, contrary to national guidelines.

According to COA’s 2023 report, the unspent Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) accumulated in the Special Trust Fund from 2020 to 2022 was not included in the municipality’s Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund Investment Plan (LDRRMFIP).

As a result, no portion of the amount was used last year.

COA Circular No. 2012-002 states that unspent disaster funds should be allocated within five years for disaster preparedness and risk reduction projects.

The municipal Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC) is responsible for planning the fund’s usage and incorporating it into the LDRRMFIP.

In addition, a joint memorandum from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) mandates that unspent LDRRMF balances can only be used for new expenditures if a revised Annual Investment Plan (AIP) is approved by the local council and the mayor.

For 2023, the municipality had a total LDRRMF of P41.3 million, with P34.4 million utilized, leaving a balance of P6.8 million.

However, the P13.2 million in unspent funds from 2020 to 2022 remained untouched.

The municipal government, under Mayor Angelo Aguinaldo, has yet to comment on the COA’s findings.