The Commission on Audit (COA) Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) held a virtual briefing on the Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE) Pan 2019-2025, the enhanced Gender and Development (GAD) Plan, Budget, and Accomplishment Information System (GPBAIS), the status on the FY 2022 GPB of COA and other matters, via CISCO Webex application on 13 October 2021.

A total 464 COA GFPS officers and members from the Central and Regional Offices led by COA Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo, Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc and Assistant Commissioner Fortunata M. Rubico, Chairperson of the COA GFPS Technical Working Group, attended the briefing.

Opening the program, Commissioner Pondoc called attention to how women are adversely affected by the ongoing pandemic with more women losing their jobs compared to men and the prevalence of a “shadow” pandemic in which more women fall victim to various forms of violence. He emphasized COA’s commitment to the campaign to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. He also reminded participants that “we are stronger when we work together” in the achievement of shared goals.

Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo emphasized the importance of accountability and ensuring that government managers have carried out their fiscal responsibility properly and effectively as he discussed the constitutional mandate of the COA at a webinar hosted by the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU) – Graduate School held on 09 October 2021 via Google Meet.

The webinar with the theme “The Commission on Audit: Ensuring the Integrity and Accountability in Government Services and Building Resiliency towards the COVID-19 Pandemic” was attended by post graduate students and professors of the NDDU.

Commission on Audit (COA) Assistant Commissioner Luzvi P. Chatto, head of the Commission’s Administration Sector, was reappointed as member of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB).

Operating under the auspices of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the IPSASB works to strengthen public financial management globally through developing and maintaining accrual-based International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and other high-quality financial reporting guidance for use by governments and other public sector entities.

Appointees to the IPSASB are selected following a rigorous nominations and interview process involving the IFAC Nominating Committee and IPSASB leadership, overseen by the Public Interest Committee.

“I am grateful for the confidence shown by the IFAC and IPSASB leadership. I feel that my reappointment is a recognition not only of my skills but also of the competence and dedication of the officials and auditors of the Commission who worked together to harmonize Philippine Public Sector Accounting and Auditing Standards with international standards and best practices. Rest assured that we will continue to support the enhancement of these Standards,” said Assistant Commissioner Chatto.