The Commission on Appointments (CA) has confirmed the appointment of Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario G. Lipana on 26 January 2022. Commissioner Lipana was appointed COA Commissioner by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for a term expiring on 2 February 2027 vice Commissioner Jose A. Fabia.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to serve the Commission as one of its leaders, having served this institution for 38 years without any break. The extensive experience, expertise and knowledge I have acquired will enable me to help in the implementation of more innovative programs, use of technology in modernizing audit and maintaining the Commission’s independence and integrity,” said Commissioner Lipana.

Commissioner Lipana is a career official who has been with the COA for more than 38 years. He rose from the ranks, joining the Commission in 1983 and serving as auditor of various government agencies including those in the legislative and executive departments and constitutional offices.

Prior to his appointment as Commissioner, he served as Regional Director of COA Regional Office No. IV-A and concurrently, Director of the Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office under the Office of the Chairperson.

The Commission on Audit’s (COA) Citizen Participatory Audit (CPA) strategy was selected first place for the Asia Pacific Region by the Open Government Partnership (OGP) for its 2021 OGP Impact Awards. The recognition was announced at the Opening Plenary of the OGP Global Summit held from 15 to 17 December 2021.

The OGP Impact Awards “highlight commitments that have demonstrably improved people’s lives or the quality of democracy” and was launched by the OGP, along with the OGP Local Innovation Awards, as part of its 10th anniversary celebration to recognize the work of open government reformers in improving transparency, accountability, participatory nature, and impact of open government work.

Launched in November 2012, the CPA strategy aims to enhance citizen participation in the public audit process. It is a mechanism of constructive engagement between citizens and government in conducting public audits and capacity building activities, to uphold the people’s primordial right to a clean government and the prudent utilization of public resources. The CPA is founded on the premise that public accountability can prosper only with a vigilant and involved citizenry.

“We would like our people, especially the younger generation, to be involved in the work of governance. Citizens are included in the audit team to make government more effective, transparent, and accountable. After all, democracy is not only for the people, it is also by the people,” said COA Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo.

“We pledge to engage more civil society organizations as we vow to continue to cultivate this journey towards a constructive partnership among citizens and government auditors for a more transparent, resilient, accountable and open government because this is the heart of CPA,” he added.

Since 2012, CPA engagements included the multi-billion peso KAMANAVA Flood Control Project which involved 13 flood control structures meant to mitigate flooding in Northern Metro Manila, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Funds and the Local Government Units’ performance in their response to natural calamities and man-made disasters, Farm-to-Market Roads where compliance with specifications and the selection of locations were validated through a geotagging tool, and the Solid Waste Management Program where the implementation of proper waste segregation and disposal was validated, including the level of satisfaction of residents on the overall cleanliness of their communities. COA has institutionalized the CPA through COA Resolution No. 2018–006 dated 1 February 2018.