Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo with COA Regional Office No. VII Director Eden T. Rafanan led the inauguration of Cebu’s first Provincial Satellite Auditing Office (PSAO) on 24 August 2018. Cebu Provincial Governor Hilario P. Davide III and Cebu City Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña participated in the event.

The Chairperson thanked the Provincial Government of Cebu for the Deed of Usufruct it granted in favor of COA. He said that the PSAO is symbolic of the independence of COA, which translates into independence in thought and freedom from influence in the work that they do. He also emphasized the concept of interdependence and that COA must not exist in a vacuum but instead keep in mind that its work involves real people in real situations and has an impact.

Chairperson Aguinaldo said COA’s role is not so much as to find fault, but also to teach people the right thing to do. At the end of the day, the goal is for government agencies to succeed in the performance of their mandates. He emphasized that effectivity is just as important as accountability in public service.

Regional Director Rafanan also thanked the officials of COA RO-VII who were instrumental in the grant of the usufruct from the Cebu Provincial Government, and encouraged the auditors who will occupy the new building to collectively propel the wheels toward achieving the mission and vision of the Commission efficiently and effectively. For her part, Assistant Regional Director Marilou M. Rizarri observed that while COA-VII is grateful that the new PSAO building had come into fruition, only 20 of the more than 50 audit teams in Cebu can be accommodated in the new facility. She took the opportunity to request COA’s partners in nation-building, specifically the local government units, to spare a portion of their lots so COA can build more PSAOs in Cebu.