COA flags DA over undistributed agri aid for Kristine victims

Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google.

The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the failure of its Regional Field Office in the Bicol Region (RFO V) to distribute agricultural inputs to beneficiaries affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and other storms.

In its 2025 annual audit report, COA said a review of the DA's quick response fund (QRF) showed that RFO V failed to distribute the agricultural inputs on time. The inputs were intended for beneficiaries under the Rice, Corn and High Value Crops Programs.

“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, indicating delays in the actual distribution to intended beneficiaries,” COA said.

The QRF was intended to address the effects of Typhoons Kristine and Pepito in 2024, as well as Tropical Depression Crising.

“Despite the lapse of several months and the prior identification of affected beneficiaries, a significant portion of inputs remained undistributed as of year-end, indicating undue delays in the provision of assistance,” COA said.

COA noted that one of the reasons cited by RFO V for the delayed distribution was its attempt to align the distribution of the inputs with planting schedules, among other factors.

RFO V maintained that the situation did not constitute an actual delay, according to state auditors.

However, COA said this reasoning defeated the purpose of the QRF.

“While the Audit Team acknowledges the justification of Management, the delay in distribution to aid various farmers after a calamity is not aligned with the very concept of the QRF, which is to help normalize a community’s situation after a disaster by providing immediate assistance to those affected by calamities,” COA said.

Among the agricultural inputs that RFO V failed to distribute under the rice program were 15,000 bags of hybrid palay seeds, 45,000 liters of inorganic foliar fertilizer and 15,000 packs of inorganic foliar fertilizer.

Under the corn program, the regional office also failed to distribute 1,710 liters of herbicide, 1,710 kilograms of complete fertilizer and 1,140 liters of pesticide, among other inputs.

Severe Tropical Storm Kristine brought torrential rains and widespread flooding to parts of the Philippines in October 2024.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that Kristine affected more than 7 million people and resulted in 139 casualties as of Oct. 30, 2024.

The successive storms that hit the country in late 2024 also caused billions of pesos in agricultural damage and losses.

The government initially estimated about P7.039 billion in agricultural damage and losses from the successive typhoons in several regions.— MCG, GMA News