Metro Manila LGUs deny they owe MMDA P1.009B in unpaid dues

THE books of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) show it supposedly has more than P1 billion in total receivables from 16 cities and one municipality comprising the National Capital Region.

But replies from various local government units to verification letters sent out by government auditors denied they have unpaid obligations to the MMDA in such amount.

Of the 17 LGUs, the Commission on Audit only received 12 confirmation letters wherein only three admitted to having unsettled accounts with the MMDA albeit nowhere near the sum listed in its books.

The collectibles pertain to the five percent share of the MMDA in the total annual gross revenue of each LGU set under RA 7924 (the MMDA Law).

According to the agency’s subsidiary ledger on accounts due, the breakdown of the LGUs’ outstanding obligations was Quezon City (P264.915 million), Parañaque City (P143.65 million), Las Piñas City (P131.24 million), Makati City (P88.33 million), Manila (P64.31 million), Caloocan City (P63.2 million);

Mandaluyong City (P51.71 million), San Juan City (P37.21 million), Valenzuela City (P37.07 million), Pasay City (P34.79 million), Malabon City (P34.02 million), Pasig City (P28.31 million), Marikina City (P10.41 million), Taguig City (P7.19 million), Muntinlupa City (P6.67 million), Navotas City (P3.34 million), and the municipality of Pateros (P2.79 million).

But in their replies to COA verification, only Mandaluyong (P3.73 million), Pateros (P81,686.86), and Parañaque (P27,477.48) owned up to having payables to MMDA.

The city governments of Taguig, Pasay, Pasig, Malabon, Navotas, Makati, Marikina, Quezon City, and San Juan notified the COA that, based on their own records, they no longer have any unpaid dues to MMDA.

No replies were received from Caloocan City, Las Piñas City, Manila, Muntinlupa City, and Valenzuela.

“The LGUs of Malabon, San Juan, and Quezon City reiterated their confirmation that no outstanding balances are due to the agency while the LGUs of Mandaluyong and Manila are still waiting for verification from the respective accounting offices,” the audit team said.

By all accounts, the MMDA will have its hands full trying to substantiate the