Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo and Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc with Calamba Representative Joaquin M. Chipeco, Jr., Calamba City Mayor Justin Marc SB. Chipeco and COA Regional Director Mario G. Lipana led the groundbreaking ceremony for the Provincial Satellite Auditing Office (PSAO) for the Province of Laguna in Calamba City on 11 February 2020.

Chairperson Aguinaldo expressed his gratitude to the City Government of Calamba, noting the good relationships between the local government and the Commission in the delivery of public service, and in promoting interdependence among government agencies. He said COA empowers and enables government agencies to effectively and efficiently carry-out their mandates to their constituents. He also emphasized principles of pakikipag-usap at pakikipagtulungan between the Commission and government agencies to better deliver public services.

Commissioner Pondoc reiterated the Chairperson’s message, noting that the Commission is an enabler of auditees in good governance.

Meanwhile, Mayor Chipeco and Congressman Chipeco, Jr., said that the establishment of the Regional Government Center in Calamba where the PSAO will be located will bring basic services nearer to constituents and pledged to refurbish the surrounding area. Director Lipana and Assistant Director Maria Oliva V. Ortega expressed their appreciation and gratitude for the assistance provided by the City Government and the COA Commission Proper in the development of the PSAO.

Also in attendance was Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region IV-A Director Samson L. Hebra who commended the Commission in recognizing their role and assistance in the construction of the PSAO. The event was also attended by officials, auditors and personnel from the COA Central and Regional Offices and officials and personnel from the City Government of Calamba and DPWH Region IV-A.

Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Jose A. Fabia ended his term as Commissioner on 2 February 2020 following six successful years spearheading initiatives to enable COA become a more impactful organization.

Commissioner Fabia was appointed to COA on 2 May 2014 and was confirmed in record time by the Commission on Appointments without opposition from its members on 11 June 2014. He is a lawyer, entrepreneur and servant leader who has contributed effectively in the fields of public accountability, communications and healthcare.

The Commission held a celebration to honor the Commissioner held at the COA Sports and Cultural Complex on 30 January 2020.

Commissioner Jose A. Fabia is joined by his staff who presented him with a painting of their hand prints as a gift during his retirement celebration on 30 January 2020.

Recalling the time when he joined COA, Commissioner Fabia said he asked himself how he could gain the trust and respect of his fellow Commissioner, the Chairman, and COA officials and employees. “The only way to gain their respect is by competence, by transparency and by doing your job beyond the call of duty,” he noted.

Commissioner Fabia said he formed a friendship with his fellow Commission Proper members, who he noted are all strong and very intelligent men and women of the Commission. He noted that while they may not always agree with each other, they have the best interests of the country and the Commission in their hearts.

Commissioner Fabia also paid tribute to his wife who the Commissioner describes as a great partner who inspires and supports.

Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo, Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc, former COA Commissioners Heidi L. Mendoza and Isabel D. Agito, former Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin, Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires, Justice Reynaldo P. Cruz, National Labor Relations Commission Commissioner Joseph E. Mabilog, and former Presidential Communications Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” B. Coloma, Jr. were among the guests who joined COA officials and staff in paying tribute to Commissioner Fabia.

“Through the years, the Commissioner has been a great partner. I am grateful for his embrace of the philosophy that hindi lang dapat tayo naghahanap ng mali kundi dapat nagtuturo din tayo ng tama,” said Chairperson Aguinaldo.

The Commission on Audit (COA) inaugurated its new Provincial Satellite Auditing Office (PSAO) building in Mambajao, Camiguin on 16 January 2020. COA Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc and Camiguin Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo led the unveiling of the marker and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Camiguin Congressman Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo, Mambajao Mayor Yñigo Jesus D. Romualdo, COA Assistant Commissioner Adelina Concepcion L. Ancajas, COA Regional Director Celso L. Vocal, with COA Region X auditors and personnel as well as representatives from the COA Central Office and provincial and municipal officials of Camiguin attended the event. Commissioner Pondoc expressed his gratitude in behalf of the Commission, noting that the gesture of donation of the land was a manifestation of the good relationship between COA and the local government. He said he is optimistic that COA can work in an interdependent relationship with the local government and encouraged COAns is to do their jobs correctly as mandated by the Constitution and uphold ethical standards and values. He also stressed the importance of honesty and integrity.

Governor Romualdo said that the project is part of his family’s legacy in establishing a government center in the province to bring basic services nearer to the constituents. He assured that the local government shall work hand in hand with COA and other government agencies towards achieving good governance.

Reverend Father Bernard Elvin Q. Simene, SSJV led the celebration of the Mass.

Meanwhile, COA personnel renewed their commitment to uphold integrity during the recital of the Integrity Pledge administered by Atty. Jennevieve Jane R. Maglinao, OIC- Service Chief of the Fraud Audit Services, COA Region X. The Integrity Pledge is an oath of commitment and dedication to public service by employees of the Commission as part of COA’s Integrity Management Program aimed at strengthening the moral uprightness of COA employees. -Contributed by Elaine V. Luzon- Training Specialist III

COA Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc and Camiguin Governor Marcelo Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo lead the inauguration of the Provincial Satellite Auditing Office in Mambajao, Camiguin. Assisting them are COA Region X Director Celso L. Vocal and COA Administration Sector Assistant Commissioner Adelina Concepcion L. Ancajas.

COA Chaiperson Michael G. Aguinaldo join officials and members of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, at the induction program held at Seda Vertis North in Quezon City.

Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo encouraged the officials and members of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) Inc. to be resilient in embracing the use of new technologies, trends, design and approaches to keep up with the challenges of modern civil engineering during the induction program on 18 January 2020 held at the Grand Ballroom of Seda Vertis North, Quezon City.

Chairperson Aguinaldo led the induction of newly elected 2020 PICE National Board of Directors while Quezon City Mayor Maria Josefina Tanya “Joy”G. Belmonte-Alimurung led the induction of the Chairs/Members of the 2020 PICE National Committees and Regional Directors.

“It is clearly important to harness and embrace civil engineering’s technologies and breakthroughs to continue to advance the prestige of the profession and be an economic partner in nation building”, Chairperson Aguinaldo said.

“Technology is a precious tool that we should take advantage to keep up with the ever changing landscape of the civil engineering profession and be more effective and efficient with our jobs”, he added.

Chairperson Aguinaldo also commended the dedication of the PICE in continuing to advance and safeguard the civil engineering profession in the country. Civil engineers, according to him, are indispensable partners in nation building and in improving the lives of the Filipinos.