The Commission on Audit (COA) has raised concerns over the Social Security System’s (SSS) procurement practices after the agency acquired 143,424 rolls of tissue paper worth ₱13.2 million through a verbal agreement.
COA’s 2024 audit noted that the purchase far exceeded the two-month supply cap, with 116,046 rolls still unreceived and no written contract in place.
Auditors warned that “procurement activities… undertaken without sufficient planning and without consideration of existing warehouse capacity” expose government resources to risks and violate documentation rules under Presidential Decree No. 1445 and Section 28 of the 2024 GAA.
COA stressed that the amount spent could have supported thousands of pensioners and recommended stricter adherence to inventory limits, better planning, and immediate adoption of updated procurement guidelines.
The audit also revealed processing lapses, including nearly ₱3 million in underpaid funeral benefits and “overpayment of pension benefits to deceased pensioners amounting to ₱24.811 million,” which COA said reflects serious weaknesses in SSS safeguards.