Published: 10 June 2022
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INTOSAI WGEA published in its website an experience sharing report on COA’s CPA approach. |
The International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) Working Group on Environmental Auditing (WGEA) published an experience sharing report prepared by the Commission on Audit (COA) on its Citizen Participatory Audit (CPA) in the context of environmental auditing.
INTOSAI WGEA commended the COA for its innovative approach to environmental auditing, involving citizens in taking part in the collection and analysis of data, writing reports, drafting inquiries, and generally acting as an integral part of auditing work.
The INTOSAI is the professional organization of SAIs in countries that belong to the United Nations or its specialized agencies and is an internationally recognized leader in public sector auditing. The WGEA’s key goals are to increase the expertise in environmental auditing globally and enhance environmental governance with high-quality contribution and visibility.
According to INTOSAI WGEA, “the organization is very proud of the SAI Philippines output as this new innovative approach on environmental auditing involves the participation of citizens in audits and is in line with the Work Package 6 on experience sharing and capacity building of the INTOSAI WGEA Work Plan 2020-2022.”
INTOSAI WGEA said “the auditing community may benefit from this approach by gaining new perspectives and improving the efficiency of audits while simultaneously strengthening bonds with society and citizens.”
The Report contains salient aspects of the environmental audits conducted by the COA using the CPA technique, such as the CPA engagements on the KAMANAVA Flood Control Project and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program in Cagayan de Oro City. The report also listed practical steps in implementing the CPA technique and participatory practices in other Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs.)
COA developed the CPA as a reform strategy and audit technique that upholds people’s primordial right to a clean government and the prudent utilization of public resources. It is founded on the premise that public accountability can prosper only with a vigilant and involved citizenry. This reform strategy shows that even when two groups have different viewpoints, as with state auditors and civil society groups, they can work together to achieve shared goals and aspirations to make sure that government agencies economically, efficiently, and effectively implement programs to obtain the desired outcomes.
With this experience-sharing report, SAI Philippines hopes to make a difference in environmental auditing and “inspire audit offices around the world to rethink the way they engage their citizens and stakeholders.”
The full report can be accessed through this link: https://wgea.org/media/117686/citizen-participatory-audit.pdf #