66. We recommended that the LDRRMC and LDRRMO review and update the
LDRRMFIP annually and include in a separate caption the projects and activities
chargeable to prior years’ unexpended LDRRMF in accordance with Sections 5.1.2
and 5.1.15 of COA Circular No. 2012-002 dated September 12, 2012, to maximize
the use of the fund and ensure that appropriate measures in disaster risk reduction
and management are implemented.
67. The LDRRMO acknowledges and respectfully admits the deficiencies noted and
recognized the oversight and lack of compliance with the prescribed guidelines. She
assured the audit team that necessary step will be undertaken to implement the
recommendation.
Three hundred fifteen volunteers of the LDRRMO were covered by a Group Yearly
Renewable Term Insurance amounting to ₱299,250.00 despite the non-submission of the
list of volunteers to the OCD for accreditation and inclusion in the database of
community disaster volunteers as required under Section 1, Rule 9 of the IRR of R.A.
No. 10121, thereby circumventing established procedures resulting in unauthorized
expenditure of public funds.
68. R.A. No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act dated
May 27, 2010, declares that it shall be the policy of the State to engage the participation
of civil society organizations (CSOs), the private sector and volunteers in the
government's disaster risk reduction programs towards complementation of resources and
effective delivery of services to the Citizenry. It also states that the government agencies,
CSOs, private sector and LGUs may mobilize individuals or organized volunteers to
augment their respective personnel complement and logistical requirements in the
delivery of disaster risk reduction programs and activities.
69. Section 1, Rule 9 of the IRR of R.A. No. 10121 states that the agencies, CSOs, private
sector, and LGUs concerned shall take full responsibility for the enhancement, welfare
and protection of their volunteers, and shall submit the list of volunteers to the OCD,
through the LDRRMOs, for accreditation and inclusion in the database of community
disaster volunteers.”
70. Further, Section 5 of the same Rule states that any volunteer who incurs death or injury
while engaged in DRRM activities, such as, (a) disaster prevention and mitigation; (b)
disaster preparedness; (c) disaster response; (d) disaster rehabilitation and recovery, shall
be entitled to compensatory benefits and individual personnel accident insurance. It is
the responsibility of the LGU mobilizing the Accredited Community Disaster Volunteers
(ACDVs) to provide them with insurance and necessary benefits.
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