The Philippine Commission on Audit (COA) shared its experiences in auditing from a gender perspective with senior officials of the Royal Audit Authority of Bhutan during a study visit in the country from 23 to 27 January 2017.

COA Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo with Commissioners Jose A. Fabia and Isabel D. Agito met their Bhutanese counterparts led by Deputy Auditor Generals Prem Mani Pradhan and Chimi Dorji with Assistant Auditor Generals Keldang Namgyel and Dechen Pelden.

Chairperson Aguinaldo thanked the Bhutan audit officials for appreciating the country and wished them to have a fruitful learning and knowledge sharing.

COA Assistant Commissioner Lourdes M. Castillo, head of the Technical Working Group of the COA Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS), GFPS Secretariat Director Fortunata M. Rubico and Gender Specialist Lourdes C. Turiano discussed the role and achievements of the COA relating to Gender and Development (GAD) concerns.

COA officials shared the Commission’s pioneering work on the audit of GAD-allocated funds, including the development of its own framework towards results-focused audit approach of GAD-related programs and activities through appropriate utilization of GAD-allotted funds.

The delegates also learned about the Philippines’ GAD policies and issues in a visit to the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW). PCW Executive Director Emmeline L. Versoza gave the delegates an oversight on the mandates and role of the PCW, GAD approaches and strategies in the country, Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Effort and GAD planning and budgeting process in the Philippines. The delegates also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between COA and PCW renewing their partnership to intensify the monitoring and auditing of GAD budget.

Delegates also learned how a particular agency implements GAD programs in a visit to the Commission on Higher Education at the end of their week-long study visit to the country.

Deputy Auditor General Chimi Dorji thanked the hosts for the productive study visit and hoped to use what they have learned to improve their audit work relating to GAD concerns. #