Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc received the prestigious Outstanding CPA in Government Award from the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) during the awarding ceremonies on 22 November 2018 at the SMX Convention Center, Bacolod City. The awarding ceremonies was one of the highlights of the 73rd PICPA Annual National Convention.

Commissioner Pondoc also presented a discourse on the Status and Key Challenges of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) Implementation during the 73rd PICPA Convention – Government Sectoral Meeting.

The PICPA National Awards are given to members of PICPA who have made outstanding contributions in the fields of commerce and industry, education, government and public practice, as well as to honor CPAs who have devoted significant public and private endeavors to the accountancy profession.

PICPA cited Commissioner Pondoc’s “exemplary and significant contribution to the Accounting profession in the field of government service in various capacities which include being an Assistant Executive Secretary in the Office of the President of the Philippines and as Commissioner of the Commission on Audit.”

PICPA also recognized the Commissioner’s service in the academe for more than 22 years as professor in the University of Mindanao and as Assistant Dean in its College of Law as well as his involvement as President of PICPA Davao City Chapter and continuous support in the Institute’s activities.

“This award is a testament not only of my commitment to public service but also to the hard work of my fellow colleagues in government who have served with utmost integrity and professionalism. I am only as good as the people who have worked with me,” observed Commissioner Pondoc.

“Rest assured that I will continue to do my best to contribute to the improvement of the Accounting Profession,” he added.

Former COA Commissioner and current Undersecretary General for the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Heidi M. Lloce-Mendoza received the Special Achievement Award in International Professional Development.

Commissioner Pondoc talked about accountancy-related mandates of COA, the status of the implementation of IPSAS and its key challenges, the gains achieved and assessment of what should have been done from IPSAS implementation, and the future plans as one of the sectoral speakers during the convention.

He cited laws, rules and regulations that mandates the accounting functions of the Commission as well as major activities that the Commission has undertaken in the fulfilment of these functions, including the evaluation of local and international accounting standards, conduct of capacity building on government accounting and financial reporting, and timely submission of annual financial reports to the President and Congress.

Through an illustration, the Commissioner showed the journey leading to the adoption and implementation of IPSAS, as well as the composition and responsibilities of the Public Financial management Governance Structure, highlighting that one of the goals of the accounting and auditing reform projects is “to harmonize accounting and auditing standards with international standards.”

Commissioner Pondoc told PICPA members that IPSAS implementation effected timely, acceptable and responsive action to the demands of PFM reforms, enhanced the quality of government accounting standards, and placed the Philippines ahead of or at par with other countries in IPSAS adoption. He also emphasized the commitment of COA in improving government accountancy services of the country as part of the Commission’s Strategic Plan.

He also reflected on the continuing pursuit of the Commission to contribute to the improvement of and institute necessary reforms in the Philippine PFM system to address the still existing weaknesses in the government accounting sector. He illustrated the reforms that have been implemented using the “Public Sector Accounting Tree,” “a seeming lifeless tree” that through accounting reforms grew “into a lively and life-giving-tree.” Commissioner Pondoc encouraged all PICPAns in the government to fortify cooperation, uphold integrity and practice competencies excellently to nourish the “Public Sector Accounting Tree” and shape efficient and effective PFM systems in the Philippines.