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.

Reflecting the Commission on Audit’s (COA’s) milestone 115^th year theme “COA: Sulong Tungo sa Marangal na Adhikain,” the awardees of this year’s COA Salutes the Best program exemplified integrity and honor. The tribute to the exemplary audit performances, held at the COA Cultural and Sports Complex on May 8, 2014, highlights the week-long celebration of the Commission’s anniversary.

“I am proud and joyful that we have come this far in three years.  Our crop of this year’s COA’s Best is a testament to our collective efforts at integrity, at being “marangal,” observed COA Chairperson Maria Gracia M. Pulido Tan.

 For the first time, the honor program was expanded to include awardees from the regions as well as individual awards categorized into various salary grades.