"The immediate establishment of SOs without enough equipment to operate led to management's decision to resort in immediate purchase of PPE and semi-expendable property using the cash of its officers, which the OVP subsequently paid through reimbursement," the COA said.
"However, controls to ensure that government resources were utilized as intended and prevented from loss should also be considered," they noted. In its comment, the OVP management explained that reimbursement was the best option at the time to address the immediate need. It assured the COA that OVP staff exercised necessary diligence to ensure items procured are of the required quality and lowest price available in the market.In the same report, the COA also found the OVP spent ₱125 million in confidential funds last year.