The Commission on Audit (COA) reported that only 16 out of 219 aviation operators received cash assistance from the P300 million allotted by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and received P52.8 million in “excess grants.”

These operators were identified as critically impacted business owners in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Based on the CAAP report in its audit for 2022, the COA said that the cash aid provided to the 16 aviation operators was far beyond the six-month period allowed by the grant.

According to the COA, the excess financial assistance given to the operators should need to be returned to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Moreover, the COA asked CAAP to cooperate with the DOTr and request approval for the reallocation of the excess grant to the qualified beneficiaries.