Makati, Philippines – The Commission on Audit (COA) and the World Bank held a meeting on 23 October 2024 to forge stronger collaboration in enhancing accountability processes in government and showcasing COA’s best audit practices globally.

Commission on Audit (COA) officials led by COA Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba met with World Bank senior financial management specialists led by Mr. Patrick Piker Umah Tete to discuss stronger collaboration in enhancing accountability on 23 October 2024 in Makati City.  

COA Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba led the COA delegation in a meeting with World Bank senior financial management specialists led by Mr. Patrick Piker Umah Tete. Chairperson Cordoba said he was looking forward to stronger collaboration with the World Bank especially in the area of digitalization in the conduct of audit. COA Assistant Commissioners Alexander B. Juliano, Adela L. Dondonilla, Roy L. Ursal and Lito Q. Martin and Director Haide T. Espuelas also participated.

The 17th Visayas Geographical Conference of the Philippine Association of Local Government Accountants (PhALGA) held in Bacolod City last 2 to 4 October 2024 was attended by approximately 8,000 participants. This momentous event took place at the SMX Convention Center and gathered financial officers from Local Government Units (LGUs), as well as Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials.

In his PICPA Talks column for the Manila Bulletin newspaper published last 29 September 2024, Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Roland Café Pondoc said that a key objective of this conference was to equip local government accountants and financial officers with the necessary tools to manage public funds effectively. PhALGA, an organization dedicated for empowering these public accountants, has been pivotal in addressing the complex financial demands of local governance. As local governance continues to evolve, particularly with the country’s ongoing push for decentralization and devolution, the conference focused on strengthening the financial capabilities of these public servants.

The Philippine Commission on Audit (COA) was voted as a member of the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) Governing Board in New Delhi, India.

The 16^th Assembly of the ASOSAI gathered key representatives from across Asia to discuss important audit issues and set the direction for the organization. The ASOSAI is a key regional entity under the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI). Founded in 1979 with 11 members, ASOSAI has since grown to include 47 Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) from across Asia.

COA Commissioner Roland Café Pondoc, who headed the Philippine delegation to the Assembly, said that being elected as a member of the ASOSAI GB is one of the highlights of the Assembly, which involved filling seven vacant posts for the GB. Other countries elected to the GB together with the Philippines were Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc and Assistant Commissioner Alexander B. Juliano lead the groundbreaking ceremony for the Provincial Satellite Auditing Office in Siquijor. Joining them are Siquijor Governor Jake Vincent S. Villa, Atty. Jielsen Dale L. Bababaran, GSO Director Amelia P. Valdez, EBMD GSO OIC-Division Chief Ar. Emiterio C. Nolasco, COA Region VII Director Visitacion Q. Mendoza, Assistant Director Eva P. Cabrera, and Engr. Christopher Y. Ursal.  

The Commission on Audit (COA) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new COA Provincial Satellite Auditing Office (PSAO) in Siquijor recently. COA Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc with Assistant Commissioner Alexander B. Juliano, COA Region VII Director Visitacion Q. Mendoza, Assistant Director Eva P. Cabrera and COA General Services Office Director Amelia P. Valdez led the ceremony. Honorable Governor Jake Vincent S. Villa and the Municipal Mayors of Siquijor also graced the event.