QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES– The Commission on Audit (COA), together with the Australian Government, launched the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Accounting and Reporting Guidelines on August 15, 2014 at the COA-PIDS Auditorium. These guidelines aim to further improve transparency and accountability in the use of disaster funds. “Benchmarked against the International Standards for Supreme Audit Institutions, these will ensure that all disaster-related funds and donations are properly accounted for and efficiently utilized. They will fill in the gaps on disaster aid audit,” said COA Chairperson Maria Gracia Pulido Tan.

With the recent typhoons and other calamities, the Philippine government was faced with the challenge of protecting disaster aid funds without impeding response time and recovery assistance. In the case of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), the public clamored for transparency on the use of government funds and other contributions from local and international donors.

“The use of the Disaster Accounting Guidelines will make the Filipino people confident on how disaster funds are allocated, utilized, and accounted for,” said Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell. “This initiative aligns well with Australia’s new performance framework that aims to enhance accountability and effectiveness of development aid.”

Over 100 participants were present at the launch, including other development partners and key officials of national government agencies involved in disaster risk reduction and management. An Executive Briefing followed in the afternoon showcasing an overview of the DRRM accounting guidelines.

Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Maria Gracia M. Pulido Tan shared about the Philippine experience on Citizen Participatory Audit (CPA) at the South Asian Regional Virtual Learning Series of the World Bank Institute (WBI) on June 10, 2014.

Through video conferencing, Chairperson Pulido Tan discussed how the CPA was conceptualized, the ways by which non-government stakeholders engage in the audit process, and various joint capacity building activities undertaken by the COA. She presented before her counterparts in the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

“This is a priority program, founded on the premise that public accountability can prosper only with a vigilant citizenry,” Chairperson Pulido Tan said.

Chairperson Pulido Tan elaborated on some of the results of three pilot audits on the CAMANAVA Flood Control Project, the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) and Barangay Health Centers, and the Solid Waste Management Project of Quezon City. She also gave inputs on the steps to institutionalize the program.

Through the CPA, audits are conducted with citizen representatives included in the team to educate citizens in the audit process and encourage vigilant participation in exacting government accountability. The audit is under the direct supervision and control of the COA.

Assistant Auditor General Mr. Babu Ram Gautam of Nepal also shared the roadmap of citizen engagement in Nepal focusing on how the process begun, the merits in citizen engagement and capacity support and platform collaboration.

Before Chairperson Maria Gracia Pulido Tan’s presentation last May 22, 2014 at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. From left with Chairperson Pulido Tan: Director Danilo Cabug, Director Lito Martin, WHO Comptroller Nick Jeffreys, WHO Internal Oversight Services Director David Webb and Director Ma. Louisa Gonzales. (Photo courtesy of Dir. Gonzales)

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND -- Chairperson Maria Gracia Pulido Tan presented the Report of the External Auditor during the Plenary Session of the 67th World Health Assembly last May 22, 2014 at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters.

(front row, from left) COA Commissioner Heidi L. Mendoza, Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Juliano-Soliman, COA Commissioner Jose A. Fabia and Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III at the Commission on Appointments (CA) on June 11, 2014. (back row, from left) Western Samar 1st District Rep. Mel Senen S. Sarmiento, Isabela 1st District Rep. Rodolfo T. Albano III, Cagayan De Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez, CA Chairman Senator Franklin M. Drilon and Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje.

The ad interim appointments of Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioners Heidi L. Mendoza and Jose A. Fabia were confirmed by the Commission on Appointments (CA) on June 11, 2014.