LTFRB chairperson Martin Delgra III (PHOTO)

The Commission on Audit (COA) flags the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for using only 1 percent of the P5.58 billion funds allocated to the benefit program for drivers affected by COVID-19 pandemic.

COA, in its 2020 report, said the LTFRB only used around P59 million of the P5.58 billion funds of the agency’s Service Contracting Program.

COA added “delays in the implementation of the Service Contracting Program ranging from two to 10 weeks as at December 31, 2020 resulted in the minimal fund utilization of only P59,720, 089 or 1.07% of the total project fund.”

The state auditor said that this also delayed the intended benefits to the PUV drivers and operators, who are the beneficiaries of the program.

It pointed out that only over 29,800 drivers or 49.79 percent of the 60,000 targeted driver participants were registered in the program as of the end of the year.

COA advised the LTFRB to review its guidelines and simplify the process for the implementation of the program  to maximize the use of the funds and the participation of beneficiaries.

Due to the COA reports, Delgra followed the advice of the Department of Budget and Management, (DBM) to return the unutilized amount as of June 30, then just request funds again when needed.

Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe criticized the LTFRB for its slow rollout for assistance for drivers without income during the pandemic.

In a media briefing Delgra said that the bureau has already released 26.55 percent of the total budget of the Service Contracting Program, which was set up to end on June 30, 2021, the day the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act or Bayanihan 2’s validity lapses.