COMMISSION ON AUDIT

Commission on Audit XII recently inaugurated its regional office in Koronadal City and Provincial Satellite Auditing Office (PSAO) in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat on January 18 and 19, 2017, respectively. Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo and Commissioner Isabel D. Agito graced the said events.

 A New Home for COAns in Paraiso

COA XII hailed a landmark event following its transfer to a new regional office in Purok Pag-asa, Brgy. Paraiso, Koronadal City, South Cotabato. Chairperson Aguinaldo alongside Commissioner Agito, aided by Regional Director Susan P. Donalvo, CPA, and Asst. Regional Director Virginia G. Datukon, CPA, primed the inauguration rites in the regional office grounds. The highlights included the unveiling of inaugural markers, ribbon-cutting, and ceremonial turnover of the Certificate of Land Title from the Municipal Government of Tantangan, headed by Mayor Benjamin V. Figueroa, Jr., which sealed the donation of the 10,000-square-meter lot for the new building’s site.

COA Chairperson Aguinaldo and Commissioner Agito together with the Officials of the Muniicipal Government of Tantangan and DPWH Region XII, during the unveiling of the inaugural  markers.

COA Chairperson Aguinaldo, Asst. Regional Director Datukon, Commissioner Agito and Regional Director Donalvo (from left to right),  during the ribbon cutting ceremony.               Region XII Officials pose with COA Chairperson Aguinaldo and Commissioner Agito after the ribbon cutting ceremony.

COA Chairperson Aguinaldo, Commissioner Agito, Regional Director Donalvo, Asst. Regional Director Datukon and the Officials of the Municipal Government of Tantangan, South Cotabato, during the ceremonial turnover of the Certificate of land title of the 10,000 square-meter donated lot.

Heads and other officials of different national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations and local government units flocked during the event. Among those was the Department of Public Works and Highways, COA’s enabling partner in the project’s structural design and construction.

“This [building] is symbolic of physical independence,” remarked the COA Chairperson in his speech. He associated independence with interdependence, the latter signifying working independently while harnessing collaborative efforts with other government agencies in nation building.

The inaugurated structure spans 2,400 square meters and currently houses 64 personnel, after Director Donalvo ordered mandatory regional transfer to Koronadal City not later than Nov. 2, 2016. This was pursuant to Executive Order 304 dated March 30, 2004, designating the city as the regional center and seat of SOCCSKSARGEN.

In her address, Director Donalvo envisioned the new COA office to be an instrument of “pag-asa” (hope), happiness, and contentment for employees and clientele by striving to transform their work environment into a “paradise”.

The program concluded with ARD Datukon infusing these words to COAns, “The building does not define us; it is our hardwork that defines this building.”

Blessings Start to Pour in SK PSAO

The heavy rain never stopped the dedication, blessing and inauguration of the new COA Provincial Satellite Auditing Office (PSAO) in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat (SK). This marks a fresh start for COAns in the province as they will now be housed under the same roof, minimizing dependence on audited agencies in terms of space, facilities and utilities.

SK PSAO, the second satellite office in COA Region XII, has a total land area of  742.84 square meters, with the building spanning 601.8 square meters.  Meanwhile, the 56-square-meter dormitory is currently being constructed with the continued technical supervision of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Aside from officials coming from the COA Central and Regional offices, local chief executives of Tacurong City, Cotabato City and Sultan Kudarat municipalities, and heads of national government agencies attended the said occasion. The Province of Sultan Kudarat, an instrumental counterpart in the completion of the building, was also represented by its administrator and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. “I’ve been to 38 provinces. And this is the only one which has the most local officials who are present in the inauguration,” remarked Chairperson Aguinaldo.

The event started with a mass in dedication to the new structure. It was followed by the unveiling of markers and cutting of ribbon which signalled the opening of the building to the public. Lunch featuring the dishes and delicacies of Sultan Kudarat delighted the guests by noon. 

COA Chairperson Aguinaldo and Commissioner Agito offered Bread and Wine during the celebration of the Holy Mass at SK PSAO with Fr. Diosdado A. Esguerra, DCC, as the Celebrant.

Regional Director Donalvo, COA Chairperson Aguinaldo, Commissioner Agito and Asst. Regional Director Datukon (from left to right),  during the ribbon cutting ceremony at SK PSAO.   COA Chairperson Aguinaldo, Asst. Regional Director Datukon, Commissioner Agito, Regional Director Donalvo and Fr. Diosdado A. Esguerra, DCC  (from right to left),  during the ribbon cutting ceremony at SK PSAO.

 The inauguration was a success despite the bad weather condition. This was spearheaded by different committees composed of COA officials and employees of the Sultan Kudarat and Cities of Tacurong and Cotabato Audit Group.