COA’s ‘zero capital outlay’ in 2027 NEP draws solons’ attention

MANILA, Philippines — “Interesting.” 

This was the reaction of House Committee on Appropriations chair and Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing after finding out that none of the proposed projects under the Commission on Audit (COA)’s “capital outlay” request for next year were granted by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

The COA initially proposed around a P1.18-billion budget for its “capital outlay” funds, which would supposedly cover the commission’s Information Systems Strategic Plan for 2027 to 2029, the construction or modernization of some of its buildings, and the purchase of three vehicles, among others.

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But the DBM did not approve the COA’s proposal, recommending a “zero capital outlay” for the commission through the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

During the budget hearing on Tuesday, Suansing mentioned that upon scrutinizing the 2027 NEP for COA, “What really stood out is the capital outlay was zero.”

Suansing asked if the DBM gave the COA a particular explanation as to why it zeroed out the whole proposal for the commission’s “capital outlay” request, to which COA assistant commissioner Nilda Plaras answered, “There was none, Your Honor.”

The Inquirer reached out to the DBM about the matter but has yet to respond as of this writing.

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Meanwhile, Suansing also pointed out COA’s request for a budget to purchase a vehicle for its regional office in the Negros Island Region (NIR), which was included in its capital outlay request.

“They didn’t approve that either?” Suansing asked.

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“Yes, one vehicle for the NIR,” the COA official answered, to which the Committee on Appropriation’s chairperson exclaimed, “Interesting.”

Senior Deputy Speaker and South Cotabato Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez seemingly echoed Suansing’s reaction, quipping, “Can you conduct an audit on the DBM?”

“I think they will grant your request. Do that before you submit the budget to the President. Maybe next time, a special audit is possible,” Hernandez furthered.

Suansing asked the DBM to provide a “wish list” of all the items that were left out in the NEP that the commission wanted to advocate for so that Congress may consider them during the deliberation of the institutional amendment requests from the different agencies.

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“Given the limited fiscal space, realistically, we would not be able to fund all. So for us to get a better sense, we request a more detailed list of all of the items under the capital outlay request with the corresponding details,” said Suansing.

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The COA is seeking a P17.3-billion overall budget proposal for 2027, but the DBM has recommended lowering the amount to P16.05 billion. /das