The Commission on Audit criticizes the AFP for delays in its Modernization Projects due to Technical Shortcomings

The Commission on Audit (COA) criticized the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the poor implementation of its Modernization Projects due to, and I quote, “failure to conduct detailed Engineering investigations, Surveys and Designs prior to bidding and Award of Contract”.

COA noted down the following issues on the AFP’s Modernization Projects:

* 28 Projects costing Php 5.7 billion not completed within the specific Contract time. 
-  Some of these Projects were completed only in the last Quarter of 2019 even if their Contract Delivery Dates were supposed to be in 2018.
- 11 of these 28 Projects were still ongoing as of December 31, 2019 even if their Contract Delivery Dates were supposed to be in 2018 and early 2019.

* 15 Projects costing Php 3.9 billion that were suspended and has not been resolved up to now;

* 1 Full Motion Simulator (FMS) Project costing Php 246 million that was terminated, no reason was given for its termination.

So that is a total of 44 Modernization Projects worth Php 9.8 billion that were found with issues. 

Among the Major Projects with issues were: 

* The Coast Watch System Upgrade Project worth Php 256 million which was only 61% complete as of December 31, 2019 when its Completion Date was supposed to be March 30, 2019;

* The Communication Electronics and Information Systems Service, Armed Forces of the Philippines (CEISSAFP) Training Center Upgrade Project worth Php 20 million which was only 21% complete as of December 31, 2019 when it was supposed to be completed by October 1, 2019; 

* Fast Boat Project worth Php 228 million which was not delivered by December 31, 2019 when its Delivery Date was supposed to be October 2019;

* Long Range Sniper Weapons Project worth Php 48 million which was not delivered by December 31, 2019 when its Delivery Date was supposed to be February 2019

I would like to hear also the side of the AFP on these issues raised by COA. The AFP needs to show that it is spending well the Budget it has been given to prove that it is deserving and worthy to be given an even bigger Budget. 

SOURCE: COA cites AFP for delayed Modernization Projects {Archived Link}

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