The Commission on Audit (COA) has raised concerns over the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) delayed liquidation of livelihood grants distributed in 2024 under the Mag Negosyo Ta ‘Day (MTD) program. According to COA, 31 individuals and 11 NGOs or civil society groups received assistance worth P15,000 and P150,000 each, totaling P2.1 million. However, none of these grants were liquidated within the required period, with delays stretching from 2 to 154 days.

MTD beneficiaries are required to use their seed capital within 60 days and submit complete liquidation reports with official receipts. COA noted gaps in policy enforcement, stating, “While it is worthy to mention that the OVP has implemented a control in tracking the individual beneficiaries’ utilization and liquidation of the financial assistance, there were no written actions to be taken or penalty to be imposed in case of non-submission of the prescribed reports and non-liquidation of financial assistance by the beneficiaries.”

The OVP told auditors that it has updated the “acknowledgement of obligation” form to ensure recipients clearly understand their duties and the consequences for failing to comply. COA added, “Management commented that the OVP is currently revising the MTD Manual of Operations to consider provisions addressing the liquidation requirements and sanctions and penalties to be imposed in case of non-compliance and late submissions by the beneficiaries.”

“This aims to ensure the proper utilization of funds among all beneficiaries,” COA said.

COA said that as of May 7, 2025, 14 of the 31 individual grants had been fully liquidated, 11 were returned for additional compliance, and six remained unliquidated.