THE COMMISSION on Audit flagged 21 state universities and colleges for their alleged deficiencies  in implementing projects amounting to P1.67 billion.

In its 2020 annual financial report, COA said that the billion fund for the programs  “were not maximized and objectives were not fully attained.”

COA criticized the Polytechnic University of the Philippines for its “poor” employment of its P895.06-million Special Trust Fund, the partial utilization of fiduciary funds and for unallocated collections.

The commission also called out the West Visayas State University for its postponement of 20 special projects for its main campus amounting to P216.89 million.

Also mentioned was the Bicol University which the commission said has “very low accomplishment rate” of skills training for Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries which has a budget of P313.02 million.

Meanwhile, COA said 7 among the 21 SUCs have “poor” performance in licensure examinations.

Other SUCs flagged by COA were the Quirino State University, Tarlac Agricultural University, Tarlac State University, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Mountain Province State Polytechnic College, Pampanga State Agricultural University, Catanduanes State University, Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology, Central Mindanao University, Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology and Isabela State University.

The commission advised the 21 SUCs to re-assess their projects and programs and to acquire appropriate conciliation.

“Assign one specific office that will monitor and consolidate the report on the employability of the graduates which can be used effectively by the offices concerned for planning purposes and development of enhanced strategies,” COA suggested.