COA Commissioners administer COA Integrity Pledge in Region I

Published: 3 September 2018

With the aim of strengthening and emphasizing commitment and dedication to public service, Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioners Jose A. Fabia and Roland C. Pondoc administered the COA Integrity Pledge to 383 COA officers and employees of Regional Office No. I recently.

The COA Integrity Pledge serves as a reminder to officials and employees on how they should conduct themselves as public servants and as a way to enrich the awareness and commitment of COA employees to serve the public with the highest degree of honesty, utmost integrity and faithfulness. It will be renewed every celebration of the COA anniversary in the region.

This is one of the activities under the Integrity Management Program (IMP) which is a continuation and expansion of the Self-Assessment on Integrity initiative. COA recently created an Integrity Management Committee to oversee and ensure the effective implementation of all integrity management initiatives and measures within the institution that are reflective of the values, principles and standards of the IMP.

Commissioner Fabia stressed that the COA is an enabling partner in the development of our country while Commissioner Pondoc emphasized the purpose of the pledge and reminded the auditors of their duties and responsibilities to the country.

COA Commissioners Jose A. Fabia and Roland C. Pondoc with Regional Director Michael R. Bacani administer the Integrity Pledge to around 300 COA employees in Region I.

Employees were updated on the norms of conduct for government employees, including Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and COA Resolution No. 2018-010 prescribing the Revised Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Government Auditors.

Region I employees take the Integrity Pledge oath.

Likewise, recognition was given to outstanding auditors and staff in the region who were nominees of COA Region I in the 2018 Search for Outstanding COA Officials and Employees. The Gawad Kahuyasan for outstanding performance was conferred to Team R1-03 Audit Group NGS 9 (UNP-Vigan City, Ilocos Sur) for the recovery of government funds in the amount of P5,619,486.73 while the Gawad Karangalan was conferred to Ms. Michelle DG. Ariola for her Audit Observation Memorandum issued to PCSO which resulted in the forfeiture of cash bonds posted in the amount of P225 M and collection of P53M in additional revenues. Also recognized were Ms. Virginia Mendoza and Ms. Marilou Cabrera who had rendered forty years of dedicated government service. The awards were given in line with the PRAISE program of the Civil Service Commission. #