A recent report from the Commission on Audit (COA) has shed light on prolonged delays in the implementation of Global Environment Facility-Marine Protected Areas (GEF-MPA) subprojects in the Province of Bohol. 

The audit findings reveal that all eight subprojects under this initiative remained incomplete, with P6.365 million or 34 percent of the total funds received left unutilized.

The GEF-MPA subprojects, part of a broader program implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA) with support from the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), aim to strengthen the conservation of coastal and marine resources in targeted program areas. 

The initiative focuses on biodiversity conservation, fisheries resource management, and providing economic opportunities to poor communities in areas with low productivity and high poverty incidence.

According to the COA report, the Implementation Management Agreement (IMA) for these subprojects was executed in 2017, with an initial target completion date set for 2019. 

However, funds were only received by the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) in February 2018 and July 22, 2021. 

Implementation of these subprojects didn’t commence until November 2019 and, despite an extension, all remained unfinished.

The audit said that this delay contravenes sections 3.07 and 5.01 of the IMA, which stipulate timely allocation of funds and prompt initiation of subproject implementation. 

The COA pointed out that these setbacks have hindered the achievement of key objectives, particularly the strengthening of coastal and marine resource conservation efforts.

A breakdown of the subprojects shows varying degrees of physical completion:

1. Anda Marine Sanctuary: 65% complete, with P921,793.74 (37%) of funds unutilized

2. Buenavista Marine Sanctuary: 70% complete, with P593,894.33 (29%) unutilized

3. Bien Unido Marine Sanctuary: 77% complete, with P906,303.51 (34%) unutilized

4. Talibon Marine Sanctuary: 77% complete, with P850,582.34 (33%) unutilized

5. Ubay Marine Protected Area: 65% complete, with P762,292.98 (35%) unutilized

Other subprojects in Bilar, Inabanga, and Getafe also show similar patterns of incomplete work and significant unutilized funds.

The COA report revealed that these delays not only impede the conservation of coastal and marine resources but also affect the provision of equitable access to resources and economic opportunities for poor sectors in these areas.

COA reminded the Capitol on its obligation, calling to act for more efficient implementation and utilization of funds to achieve the vital environmental and socio-economic goals of the GEF-MPA initiative in Bohol.