A publication of the Philippine Commission on Audit November-December 2015

Officials of the Commission gather for a souvenir photo during the Command Conference held at a resort in Batangas from November 30-
December 4, 2015.

COA officials flesh out Strategic Plan

By Liza Cabalfin
COMMISSION ON AUDIT
(COA) Chairperson Michael
G. Aguinaldo led top
officials of the Commission
in a conference to flesh out
initiatives for the draft
2016-2022 COA Strategic
Plan from November 30 to
December 4, 2015 at a resort
in Batangas.
More than 150
Assistant Commissioners
and Directors were divided
into groups to expand on the
various initiatives to
achieve six strategic goals
of the draft COA Strategic
Plan. These goals are: Create
positive impact; Empower
and enable agencies;
Improve delivery of high
quality, fair and timely
audits; Improve
stakeholder ownership and
understanding; Strengthen
capacity and capability;
and Enhance support
infrastructure.
Noting the intense
discussions during the
workshop, Chairperson
Aguinaldo said the process
was just as important as
the result. He said the
debates are important
because “it shows that
people are actually
listening. More than that, it
shows that people care. And
that is the most important
thing in an organization:
that people actually care.”
Chairperson Aguinaldo
thanked the officials for
their hard work and
support. “Your
commitment as shown
during this week really
enforces the decision that
was made to undertake this
type of process. I look
forward in traversing this
journey with all of you,” he
said.
Since the Chairperson
assumed office, the
Commission’s top officials
began to work on a new
seven-year strategic plan
with the assistance of the
United States Agency for
International Development
through Deloitte
Consulting LLP. Already,
the process had included
interviews and focus group
discussions with internal
and external stakeholders
as well as studies with
analogous organizations.
Ms. Jacqui Williams-
Bridgers of Deloitte said
that organizations that take
a self-evaluation and begin
a path toward reforming go
through three phases:
storming, forming and
norming.
“The energy this past
week shows that you are
committed to see
yourselves though that
storming phase. It is
absolutely incredible. The
energy that you brought
into the room, the
thoughtfulness, the long
hours of debates, the open
disagreement, that is how
you get on the table with
those issues and concerns
and how you make a
difference in the way you do
your work,” she said.
COA officials worked
on fleshing out initiatives
for issues such as enhancing
enabling legislative
framework; expanding risk-
based financial, compliance
and performance audits;
institutionalizing quality
assurance framework for
audits; updating COA rules
and regulations; creating a
fraud risk framework for
government agencies;
restructuring COA’s
physical presence;
increasing recovery of
illegally disbursed funds;
enhancing recruiting,
rewarding, utilizing and
training human resources;
expanding physical
infrastructure and capital
investment; sustaining
implementation of COA’s
strategic plan and
performance measurement;
COA Officials/8

IN THIS ISSUE
COVER: COA officials flesh
out Strategic Plan
CP Diaries..............................2
Dangal ng Bayan awardee
Auditor Daisy Bercede........3
Feature: Project
Management Office............4
Nepal OAG on study visit
to COA...................................5
CP dialogues with COAns
in Regions I, III & CAR.......6
GAD Mainstreaming
Guidelines revised...............6
SEDP Class XXIII
immersion.............................8
Medical Bulletin....................9
COA Christmas 2015...........10
Send issues and concerns to:
COA CITIZENS’
DESK
Text line:
+639173206543
citizensdesk@coa.gov.ph
(This line is under the direct
supervision of the Chairperson.
Concerns forwarded to the
Citizens’ Desk will be treated
with utmost confidentiality.)
Surprise
When what you anticipated
does not happen,
that in itself is a happening.
All life is a happening-
anticipated or not.
Thus the joy of being helped
by someone
from whom you least
expected it.
Thus, too, the sorrow that
visits you
when one closest to you
betrays you.
If a man can anticipate
everything,
he will be deprived of the joy
of surprise.
-from Shafts of Light
by Fr. Guido Arguelles, SJ+
2 The COA Chronicle
CP Diaries
Chairperson Aguinaldo to new CPAs: commit to do best, be
open-minded and accountable
Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Michael G.
Aguinaldo emphasized commitment, openmindedness
and accountability as he presided over the oath taking
of successful passers of the Certified Public Accountants
(CPA) Board Examinations held at the Philippine
International Convention Center on November 22, 2015.
“Please allow me to share three important lessons
or values that I have seen prevalent among my
colleagues in the Commission on Audit. These are
commitment to give your best in the work that you do
no matter how small you think it may be; openness of
mind in considering new ways of doing things; and
accountability in the performance of duties,”
Chairperson Aguinaldo said. He also encouraged the
new CPAs to consider COA as one of the best places to work in. “If you feel that your heart is
in public service, and that you have the integrity and the courage to be part of change, then
COA is waiting for you,” he added. - Liz Cabalfin
Commissioner Mendoza lauds state
auditors at Philippine Data Summit
COA Commissioner Heidi L. Mendoza lauded state
auditors during the first Philippine Data Summit on
December 9, 2015 held at the Crowne Plaza Manila
Galleria Hotel in Quezon City.
Commissioner Mendoza emphasized state auditors
expose corrupt government officials while facing threats.
“Our auditors who are writing reports, are testifying
before courts, are risking their lives and names in order
that there will be cases filed by the Office of the
Ombudsman, are given small salaries, our auditors go
beyond these limitations almost on a day to day basis,” she said.
The Philippine Data Summit was organized by the Office of the Ombudsman and the
Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism with support from the United Nations
Development Programme and the World Bank in observance of Anti-corruption Month. -
Dondi de Luna
Commissioner Fabia at IDI-
ASOSAI Jakarta meeting
COA Commissioner Jose A. Fabia
participated in the INTOSAI Development
Initiative (IDI)-Asian Organization of Supreme
Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) meeting with
Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI)
management & key stakeholders held at
Jakarta, Indonesia from December 9-11, 2015.
The meeting discussed and decided on eight
capacity developing programmes introduced
by the IDI towards enhancing the performance and capacity of SAIs. These are: issues related
to ISSAI implementation initiatives; Strategy, Performance Measurement & Reporting
framework for the SAIs; enhancing the role of SAI in fighting corruption; engagement with the
stakeholders; SAI Auditing Sustainable Development Goals; INTOSAI Certification for Auditors;
Enhancing eLearning Capacity; and development of young leaders. – Dennis Cariño

Dangal ng Bayan awardee Auditor Daisy
Bercede: ‘I am both humbled and grateful.’
By Liza Cabalfin
State Auditor Maria Daisy
O. Bercede of the
Commission on Audit
(COA) Regional Office No. 7,
Cebu City was at her office
when she received a
telephone call from the
Civil Service Commission
(CSC) Central Office
informing her that she was
one of eight recipients of the
Dangal ng Bayan Award.
“I could not remember
the exact date but it was
sometime in October 2015.
I was totally surprised and
deeply humbled but my
heart leaped with joy. I told
myself that I must really
have done something
good,” recounted Auditor
Bercede.
“I just consistently did
my best in every
assignment because I
consider my work as my
service to God. I also felt
grateful to COA, my
supervisors and co-
workers who are
instrumental to this
achievement and of course,
my family for their full
support and complete
understanding especially
when I spend time in the
office during weekends and
holidays,” she added.
Auditor Bercede said
her officemates were happy
and congratulated her
when they heard the news.
Her family members were
also very happy, telling her
that she truly deserves the
award because of her hard
work and sacrifice.
The Dangal ng Bayan
Award is conferred to an
individual for performing
Achievement
State Auditor Maria Daisy O. Bercede shares the limelight with
President Benigno S. Aquino III and Civil Service Commission
Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala.
extraordinary act or public
service and consistent
demonstration of exemplary
ethical behavior on the basis
of the employee’s
observation of the eight
norms of conduct provided
under Republic Act No. 6713
or the Code of Conduct and
Ethical Standards for Public
Officials and Employees.
COA nominated
Auditor Bercede to the CSC
honor awards after being
named the Most
Outstanding Woman of COA
in 2014. She was recognized
for leading the audit
investigation of Talisay City
College (TCC) uncovering
unreceipted collection of at
least P10 million. The
investigation resulted in the
recommendation by the TCC
Board of Directors to remove
the accountable official.
President Benigno S.
Aquino III conferred the
awards at the Rizal
Ceremonial Hall,
Malacañan Palace on
November 9, 2015. The
President conferred the
Presidential Lingkod ng
Bayan Award to 11
individuals for exceptional
or extraordinary
contributions resulting
from an idea or
performance that had
nationwide impact on
public interest, security
and patrimony. The Pagasa
Award was conferred to
nine individuals and two
groups for outstanding
contribution resulting from
an idea or performance
which directly benefit more
than one department of the
government.
“It never crossed my
mind that one day I’m going
to meet the President of the
Philippines and set foot at
Malacañan Palace. The
feeling is so wonderful and
I was totally dumb
founded,” Auditor Bercede
disclosed.
“I believe that we are
one of the best government
institutions in terms of
work ethics and dedication
to government service. I
humbly believe that some
of my co-workers also
deserve this award. It is not
only for me but also for the
whole institution. I hope
that this award will inspire
us to work harder, to be
more vigilant and strictly
adhere to our Vision and
Mission,” Auditor Bercede
said.
To get to know the
latest Dangal ng Bayan
awardee, COA Chronicle
asked Auditor Bercede to
complete these phrases:
I am most happy
because I never expected to
receive such a coveted and
prestigious award.
An object I would
never forget and always
treasure for the rest of my
life is the award bestowed
on me by no less than the
President. I will also
remember the support of
the Institution who
nominated me and also the
CSC who is the lead agency
tasked to search for the
most outstanding
performance of a public
servant.
The best gift I received
in my lifetime is to win the
Dangal ng Bayan Award.
The people that inspire
me are my family, my
superiors, my officemates
and the entire Filipino
people that I have truly
served to the best of my
ability.
The people I want to
inspire are my children, my
officemates and the people
working in the government
service.
I am looking forward to
the day when we in the
government service will be
devoted and dedicated in
our job to have a graft-free
bureaucracy.
The COA Chronicle 3

Project Management Office:
to effectively deal with
Keeping things together foreign nationals and
development
(from left) PMO Director Gloria D. Jose with staff Ivy R. Lademora
and Monette L. Jimenez during the Strategic Plan Conference held
in Batangas.
By Liza Cabalfin
In the first Avengers movie,
Nick Fury recruits
superheroes to form a team
on a mission to save the
world. With their respective
super strengths and
personalities, the
superheroes clashed early in
the film. It was Fury’s job to
keep the team together and
focused on their mission.
Thus, this team of high
powered individuals
succeeded in their missions
by working together,
cooperating and
contributing their unique
skills, all under the guiding
leadership of their team
leader.
It may be said that Fury
took on the role of a project
manager, someone who
keeps the team motivated to
fulfill its mission. In real life,
organizations need project
managers to handle the risks
and issues that may arise in
pursuing the organization’s
goals.
For the Commission on
Audit (COA), that role falls
4 The COA Chronicle
Feature
partners
on the Project Management
Office (PMO) tasked to
evaluate, integrate, monitor
and act as secretariat for the
priority projects of COA and
to liaise with development
partners in the
implementation of the
projects. Created through
COA Resolution No. 2014-
002 dated January 22, 2014,
the PMO is responsible for
projects that are financed or
assisted by development
partners and other donors
including the World Bank,
the United States Agency for
International Development
(USAID), the Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
(DFAT) of the Australian
Government and Making All
Voices Count (MAVC).
While the PMO is not an
organization of superheroes
as are the Avengers and its
missions are not as
demanding as saving the
world, but interacting with
development partners and
international organizations
presents its own challenges
and dynamics. “Project
management is a value-add
that we bring to COA. How
because each one has their
own issues and way of doing
things,” observed PMO
Director Gloria D. Jose.
One of the difficult issues
is negotiating for funds.
Director Jose notes that unlike
before where grants are
directly given to the
beneficiary, now the
approach is the funding goes
through conduit
organizations such as the
Affiliated Network for Social
Accountability in East Asia
and the Pacific (ANSA-EAP),
COA’s partner in the
implementation of the
Citizen Participatory Audit
(CPA) program funded by
DFAT, and Deloitte which
handles some of the
programs funded by USAID.
Director Jose explains that
this is due to a high index rate
of corruption in government
prompting international
donor agencies to provide
grants through channels.
Some of the conduit
organizations such as
ANSA-EAP show COA the
budget for the program, but
others don’t.
In two years since its
creation, the PMO has
successfully facilitated the
implementation of key
reform programs including
phase one and two of the
CPA. Capacity building
activities and signing of
agreements with civil society
organizations (CSOs) for the
CPA of farm-to-market roads
(FMR) have been conducted
in Regions I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B,
V, VII, IX, X, XI, and CARAGA
in 2015. An exploratory
meeting with CSOs for the
pilot on CPA of FMR and
Tourism Roads in Surigao
was held in March 2015
while a writeshop for the
preparation of the CPA
Report of FMR Projects in
Region IV-B has been
conducted in Puerto
Princesa, Palawan. Included
among the CPA capacity
building activities is Geo
Tagging, one of the exciting
ways to use technology in
audit that may finally
eradicate ghost
infrastructure projects. COA
is looking to partner in 2016
with the Philippine Institute
of Certified Public
Accountants for the CPA
audit of the Bureau of
Customs.
The CPA, according to
Director Jose, is the most
significant accomplishment
of the PMO because the
results will not only be for
COA but for the citizenry. She
said the COA should
institutionalize and
strengthen the CPA by
making funds available and
including it in its regular
audit.
“Working with CSOs
gives us different
perspectives that can help us
improve our work,”
observed Ms. Monette L.
Jimenez. She said attending
Open Government
Partnership (OGP) meetings
(the CPA is under the OGP
program), being part of the
Philippine Government’s
commitments to the OGP,
and the exposure to various
cultures and practices are
rewarding experiences for
her.
For Ms. Ivy R. Lademora,
being part of the PMO team
is fulfilling especially when
they immediately see the
results of their efforts. “It is
gratifying when you hear the
messages and appreciation
of CSOs after exploratory
Project Management/5

Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo, Commissioner Heidi L. Mendoza, Assistant Commissioner Divinia M. Alagon, Directors Cecilia B. Camon and
Gloria D. Jose and ANSA’s Vivien Suerte-Cortez welcome delegates from the Office of the Auditor General of Nepal and the World Bank.
Nepal Auditor General, officials
visit COA to study CPA program
By Gaerly Sison
The Auditor General of
Nepal, Mr. Bhanu Prasad
Acharya, together with other
officials of the Office of the
Auditor General (OAG) of
Nepal visited the Philippine
Commission on Audit (COA)
to study the Citizen
Participatory Audit (CPA)
Program on November 23 -
27, 2015.
The study visit, called
South-South Knowledge
Exchange to the COA, was
organized as part of the
support program provided
by the Word Bank (WB) to
the OAG of Nepal under the
Multi Donor Trust Fund to
improve Public Financial
Management in Nepal.
COA Chairperson
Michael G. Aguinaldo and
Commissioner Heidi L.
Mendoza with other COA
officials welcomed Mr.
Acharya and his delegation
composed of Mr. Moha Datta
Timilsina, Mr. Maheshwar
Kaphle, and Mr. Trilochan
Acharya. WB
representatives Mr. Akmal
Minallah, Ms. Anjalee
Thakali, Prof. Prithvi Raj
News
Ligal, and Mr. Keith McLean
also participated.
A s s i s t a n t
Commissioner Divinia M.
Alagon gave a presentation
on the CPA and discussed
how “citizen auditors”
participate and support the
auditing process in key
sectors such as education
and disaster risk
management programs. A
clear delineation of the role
of CSOs and the COA in the
planning meeting which is
an important first step
towards a successful CPA
was also emphasized.
Delegates also visited
Boso-Boso Elementary
School in Antipolo City to get
a first-hand look at how the
CPA works in the education
sector. They also did
fieldwork to further learn
and appreciate CPA tools and
had a workshop on disaster
relief audit.
Mr. Acharya expressed
his interest in replicating a
similar system in Nepal.
Pratimimba, the official
newsletter of the Program for
Accountability in Nepal,
reported that the study tour
had been fruitful and both
the WB team and that of the
OAG of Nepal benefited a lot.
“We are optimistic and
hopeful that the citizen’s
participation will help to
improve the overall
governance in Nepal.
However, we need to further
strengthen the capacity of the
CPA in our country. We have
observed that the role of
CSOs in the audit process is
very beneficial in the
Philippines,” Mr. Acharya
said.
The South-South
Facility was established to
help countries do
development differently. The
Facility finances global
knowledge exchange
projects that draw directly
upon the expertise of
developing countries, and
provides a platform for
sharing lessons. As
knowledge exchange does
not happen in isolation,
grants are awarded to
country teams that work
with the WB to integrate the
exchanges into their broader
development goals. The
South-South Facility then
helps teams document their
results and lessons so that
other practitioners may
benefit from them as well.
Project
Management
from page four
meetings with them. In the
beginning, CSOs do not
understand how COA works
and most of them even have
doubts about COA. But at the
last day of these meetings,
CSOs themselves defend
COA,” she recounted.
Aside from the CPA, the
PMO conducted Water
Sanitation and Hygiene
(Wash) capacity building for
Regions IV-A and III and
Wash exploratory meeting in
Pampanga. The project is
also funded by the
Australian DFAT. The PMO
is also coordinating Data
Analytics and Visualization
with the World Bank to
enable auditors to
summarize a CPA Audit
Report into a one-page
infographics.
In December 2015, the
Commission held a
Command Conference
involving its top leaders (the
CP, Assistant
Commissioners and all
Directors) to flesh out
initiatives for COA’s seven-
year Strategic Plan. The
Command Conference was
one of the activities the PMO
coordinated with Deloitte
Project Management/6
The COA Chronicle 5
 From the Regions
Dialogues in Regions I, III
and CAR pay tribute to
Commissioner Mendoza
By Liza Cabalfin
Conducting a “We are all looking for
Commission Proper (CP)
Executive Meeting and
dialogues with Commission
on Audit (COA) officials and
personnel from three regions
in the span of two days may
have been tiring, but the
warmth and affection of the
COA family in the regions
The PMO Team (from left) Ivy R. Lademora, Donabel G. Ronzales,
made it worthwhile.
Director Gloria D. Jose, Vinci A. Beltran and Virginio E. Sulla, Jr. .
Not in picture is Monette L. Jimenez.
COA Chairperson
Michael G. Aguinaldo,
Project Management from page five Commissioner Jose A. Fabia
and outgoing Commissioner
under the USAID program in crafting the COA Strategic Plan. Heidi L. Mendoza led the
Also with Deloitte, the PMO facilitated the selection and COA Central Office
training of candidates for the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) delegation to the dialogues
online examinations administered by the Association of with Supervising Auditors
Certified Fraud Examiners. All 24 CFE candidates of COA from and Audit Team Leaders and
its Regional Offices successfully passed the rigorous members of all audit sectors
examinations. of the COA Cordillera
With MAVC, the PMO is facilitating exploratory meetings Administrative Region
for disaster audit. MAVC is an international initiative (CAR), and Regional Offices
supporting effective and accountable governance in 12 No. I and III held in the Cities
countries in Africa and Asia that is funded by the Department of Baguio and San Fernando
for International Development of the United Kingdom, USAID, (La Union and Pampanga,
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and respectively) from
the Omidyar Network. November 9-10, 2015.
Moving forward, Director Jose aims to strengthen COA’s The dialogues became
relationship with the Professional and Institutional doubly special as tributes
Development Sector to establish contacts with other Supreme poured for Commissioner
Audit Instituions and to work in close coordination. Mendoza who was recently
The PMO has successfully integrated and monitored appointed head of the United
reform projects having Director Jose and only three members Nations (UN) Office of
of the team: Mesdames Jimenez and Lademora and Mr. Virginio Internal Oversight Services.
E. Sulla, Jr. Recently, Ms. Donabel G. Ronzales and Ms. Vinci A. Commissioner
Beltran joined in some of the activities to support the team. Mendoza said she is not
The key for the office’s accomplishments is teamwork. Director looking at her UN
Jose observed that one of the best practices that COA can adapt appointment as an
from international exposure is the mindset that the entire accomplishment and felt
workforce is a team. that it was a little untimely
“The success of one is success of all; failure of one is failure because of the series of
of all. Everybody is empowered, everybody knows what he is reforms that are in place.
doing. Buo dapat ang office, mula sa maliit alam ng lahat sa team On the other hand, she said
kung ano ang objective,” she affirmed. she trusts that the current
CP is the best people in the
6 The COA Chronicle
Commission to continue the
reforms.
an inspiration but at the end,
our very own existence is an
inspiration. For whom we
are waking up? One of the
reasons I keep on waking up
is because my love for COA
is very much alive in my
heart,” Commissioner
Mendoza disclosed. She
asked COAns to make the
new Chairperson an
inspiration and to work
together with the CP.
Chairperson Aguinaldo,
for his part, pointed to
Commissioner Mendoza as
an inspiration but noted that
we do not have to look far for
sources of inspiration. “We
can find inspiration in the
people around us. People
who do their work diligently
day in and day out and
without concern for fanfare
are all sources of
inspiration,” he said.
As in all regional visits,
the Chairperson encouraged
everyone to inform the CP if
they feel they are being
pressured or threatened
since as heads of the
organization, the CP is there
to protect the employees. But
he also asked COAns to
protect the CP by doing their
work to the best of their
abilities. He reminded
everyone that if they did
something illegal, then they
are not protecting the
organization.
Commissioner Fabia
also paid tribute to
Commissioner Mendoza,
noting that the CP wanted to
Dialogues in regions/7

Dialogues in Regions I, III and CAR pay tribute from page six
give her a good send-off
because of the good things she
did for COA and for the
honor she brought to the
country.
Pointing out that he has
his roots in Pangasinan,
Commissioner Fabia told
Region I personnel to keep in
mind that one of the
Commissioners came from
their region so they must
work hard to be one of the
most outstanding COA
regional offices. “We should
do all we can for the country.
Regional personnel are
frontline and you should do
your best. The CP will also
do our best so that
employees will be able to do
their jobs well,” he also said.
A special tribute to
Commissioner Mendoza
was also given by CAR
auditors during a fellowship
night held at the Chairman’s
From the Regions
Cottege in Baguio City on
November 8, 2015 while the
COA Region I family penned
a poem in honor of
Commissioner Mendoza.
“Maraming salamat po
Komisyoner Heidi sa iyong
matapat at masigasig na pagsisilbi.
Papuri at pasasalamat sa ating
Poong Maykapal sa iyong buhay
at sa mga taong nakasama ka
namin,” read part of the poem
recited by Director Lynn SF
Sicangco.
One of the most-asked
issues during the three
regional dialogues was the
COA issuance requiring
auditors to attend every
procurement activity of the
Bids and Awards Committee
(BAC). One of the solutions
Assistant Commissioner
Arcadio B. Cuenco, Jr.
suggested is the use of risk-
based approach. Using risk-
based approach in the
review of the Annual
Procurement Plan, auditors
can identify which of the
procurements are risky.
Auditors’ attendance to
BAC proceedings will then
be based on their risk-
assessment.
On reassignment of
auditors to a location nearer
their place of residence,
Commissioner Fabia
reminded them to study
carefully whether they can
resist pressure from
relatives or local officials if
they are assigned in their
hometowns. He said
auditor ’s independence
should be assured.
Chairperson Aguinaldo
also updated regional
personnel regarding policy
directions that the
Commission will take once
the Strategic Plan is
completed.
Other issues discussed
include policies on
promotion, reshuffling,
withdrawal of residency
audit, training and
attendance to conferences
and health care policy,
among others.
The CP was joined by
Assistant Commissioners
Arcadio B. Cuenco, Jr.,
Elizabeth S. Zosa, and Isabel
D. Agito, and Directors
Carmina Paulita J.
Pagayawan, Arlyn M.
Encarnacion, Fidela M. Tan,
Lita E. Diez, Elwin Gregorio
A. Torre, Edna D. Santos,
Bresilo R. Sabaldan, Noel B.
Clemente and Marie Macel
O. Tejada as well as staff
from the Executive Offices,
Commission Secretariat,
Human Resources
Management Office and the
documentation team.
The COA Chronicle 7
 Event
SEDP Class XXIII shares
their blessings
By Sam Domingo

Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo and Commissioners Heidi L.

Mendoza and Jose A. Fabia lead the turn-over ceremony for the Policy
Review on Local Roads Asset and Management Practices on December
1, 2015 during the COA Command Conference held at a resort in
Batangas. With them are the Australian Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade’s Geoff King and Luke McNamara who is also team SEDP Class XXIII visit the Holy Trinity Orphanage in Fairview,
leader of the Provincial Road Management Facility project, COA Quezon City on December 18, 2015.
Assistant Commissioner Divinia M. Alagon, and Directors Carmelita
O. Antasuda, Arlyn M. Encarnacion and Amelia VP. Valdez. CONSISTENT WITH THE Messrs. Samuel Ruel C.
SEDP Class XXIII logo of a Domingo and Rolito Sondon.
phoenix rising from the Director Dinapo donated
COA officials from page one ashes, the class embarked on P2,860.00 and Directors
a gift giving activity to an Sabaldan, Lili Isidro, Fatima
enhancing COA’s IT Practices was held on the institution that gives hope to Bermudez, Josephine
infrastructure investment first day of the conference. those who are less fortunate. Manalo, Chona Labrague,
and governance; and Chairperson Aguinaldo The group shared their Lisa Inguillo, and Helen
implementing a strategic with Commissioners Heidi blessings to the Holy Trinity Cailing, Engineer Olive
communication plan L. Mendoza and Jose A. Orphanage, in Fairview, Avestruz, Attys. Chito
internally and externally. Fabia led the ceremony Quezon City on December Janaban, delos Santos,
Earlier in the week, with Australian 18, 2015. The orphanage is Jeremy Gariando and Lagua,
Chairperson Aguinaldo Department of Foreign engaged in providing shelter, Mesdames Adriano, Fely
presented to the body the Affairs and Trade’s (DAFT) food and education to Dalope, Ellen Mendoza, May
Draft 2016-2022 COA Geoff King and Luke abandoned, orphaned and Vegafria, Esperanza Oreas,
Strategic Plan as well as the McNamara who is also abused children. The and Jazmin Macabangon,
new COA Vision and team leader of the children under the and Messrs. Renato Rosales,
Mission. Mr. Mike Provincial Road institution’s care are Domingo, and Sondon all
Alimurung, COA’s Management Facility provided scholarships for donated P1,500 each.
consultant for the Strategic (PRMF). The project was elementary, high school and The group is likewise
Plan, updated the officials held in cooperation with the even college education before funding the scholarship of
on the process for the DFAT through the PRMF. they join mainstream Mr. Erwin Escalona who is
development of the Other speakers during society. now in his 3rd year taking
Strategic Plan framework the week-long conference Headed by Class up Bachelor of Science in
and gave an overview of were Ms. Vivien Suerte- President Director Federico Mechanical Engineering.
the feedback from Cortez of the Affiliated Dinapo, Jr., the group gave The scholarship of Mr.
stakeholders and key Network for Social Mcdonald’s Spaghetti with Escalona is the result of the
challenges. The Strategic Accountability in East Asia Chicken to 40 children and immersion activity of the
Plan will hopefully be and the Pacific who cash worth P30,000.00 to the class in Boystown prior to
completed by March 2016. updated the officials on the institution. The SEDP XXIII their SEDP graduation in
Meanwhile, a project Citizen Participatory Audit class members who 2012. With the initiative of
completion and turn-over and Ms. Lean Penarroyo of accompanied Atty. Dinapo the class president, the class
ceremony on the Policy the World Bank who gave a were Director Bresilo unanimously committed to
Review on Local Road presentation on data Sabaldan, Attys. Fabian de donate P200 a month each
Asset Management and analytics. los Santos and Vina Lagua, until Mr. Escalona
Ms. Leona Andriano and graduates.
8 The COA Chronicle

10 Facts on food safety
Source: World Health
Organization
1. More than 200 diseases
are spread through food.
Millions of people fall ill
every year and many die as
a result of eating unsafe food.
Diarrhea diseases alone kill
an estimated 1.5 million
children annually, and most
of these illnesses are
attributed to contaminated
food and drinking water.
Proper food preparation can
prevent most foodborne
diseases.
2. Contaminated food can
cause long-term health
problems.
The most common
symptoms of foodborne
disease are stomach pains,
vomiting and diarrhea.
Food contaminated with
heavy metals or with
naturally occurring toxins
can also cause long-term
health problems including
cancer and neurological
disorders.
3. Foodborne disease
affects vulnerable people
harder than other groups.
Infections caused by
contaminated food have a
much higher impact on
populations with poor or
fragile health status and can
easily lead to serious illness
and death. For infants,
pregnant women, the sick
and the elderly, the
consequences of foodborne
disease are usually more
severe and may be fatal.
4. There are many
opportunities for food
contamination to take place.
Today’s food supply is
complex and involves a
range of different stages
including on-farm
production, slaughtering or
Medical Bulletin
harvesting, processing,
storage, transport and
distribution before the food
reaches the consumers.
5. Globalization makes
food safety more complex and
essential.
Globalization of food
production and trade is
making the food chain longer
and complicates foodborne
disease outbreak
investigation and product
recall in case of emergency.
6. Food safety is
multisectoral and
multidisciplinary
To improve food safety,
a multitude of different
professionals are working
together, making use of the
best available science and
technologies. Different
governmental departments
and agencies, encompassing
the public health,
agricultural, education and
trade, need to collaborate and
communicate with each
other and engage with the
civil society including
consumer groups.
7. Food contamination
also affects the economy and
society as a whole.
Food contamination has
far reaching effects beyond
direct public health
consequences – it
undermines food exports,
Antimicrobial-resistant
bacteria may be transmitted
to humans via food.
9. Everybody has a role to
play in keeping food safe.
Food safety is a shared
responsibility between
governments, industry,
producers, academia and
consumers. Everyone has a
role to play. Achieving food
safety is a multi-sectoral
effort requiring expertise
form a range of different
disciplines – toxicology,
microbiology, parasitology,
nutrition, health economics
tourism, livelihoods of food and human and veterinary
handlers and economic medicine. Local
development, both in communities, women’s
developed and developing groups and school education
countries. also play an important role.
8. Some harmful bacteria 10. Consumers must be
are becoming resistant to drug well informed on food safety
treatments. practices.
Antimicrobial People should make
resistance is a growing global informed and wise food
health concern. Overuse and choices and adopt adequate
misuse of antimicrobials in behaviors. They should
agricultural and animal know common food hazards
husbandry, in addition to and how to handle food
human clinical uses, is one of safely, using the information
the factors leading to the provided in food labeling.
emergence and spread of (Contributed by the Medical and
antimicrobial resistance. Dental Services Office)
The COA Chronicle
Editor: Director Jonathan B. Beltran
Associate Editor: Liza C. Cabalfin
Writers: Cristy M. Roxas, Dennis B. Cariño, Karen R. Recio,
Gaerly L. Sison, Dondi S. De Luna
Contributor: Sam Domingo & Medical and Dental Services
Office
Photographers: Jimmy D. Adanza, Dondi S. De Luna,
Rod S. Reyes & Jun E. Patacsil
Lay out artists: Liza C. Cabalfin, Dondi S. De Luna
Production and Circulation: The COA Chronicle is published
Helen Grace A. Dela Cruz, by the Public Information
Miles G. Pacheco, Ramon A. Office- Office of the
Caro, Juan C. Asne Chairperson, Commission on
Audit, Commonwealth
Supplies and Materials: Avenue, Quezon City. Telefax
PPSMS, General Services No. 9510934. Send your
Office, Administration Sector comments, suggestions, and
articles to press@coa.gov.ph
The COA Chronicle 9

COA family celebrates 2015
Christmas in thanksgiving
By Dennis Cariño
CHRISTMAS IS A TIME
TO reflect on the love and
selflessness taught by our
Savior and for thanksgiving
for all of the blessing of the
year. For the Commission
on Audit (COA), there is
much to be thankful for in
2015. The COA family
looked back on the year
with gratitude as it
celebrated the 2015
Christmas Season with the
theme “COA Family in
Thanksgiving.”
Chairperson Michael G.
Aguinaldo, who celebrated
his first Christmas in COA,
led the ceremonial lighting
of the Christmas tree on
December 11, 2015 to signal
the start of the celebration.
The tree was made from old
10 The COA Chronicle
tires and recycled
materials. The event also
featured the Belen lighting
and a video presentation
featuring Christmas
messages of the
Commission Proper played
over the big screen at the
COA main lobby.
“Christmas is celebrated
as a coming together of
people,” said Chairperson
Aguinaldo. He observed that
Christmas is more than just
a religious celebration but is
also a coming together of
different cultures. He noted
that many of the traditions
celebrated during Christmas
came from various cultures
which are not limited to a
particular religion.
Commissioner Heidi L.
Mendoza, for her part, said
Christmas “is a pledge that
light will overcome
darkness.” She encouraged
everyone to do their jobs well
so that they can be happy
after their service in COA
knowing that they did their
best. Commissioner
Mendoza’s message was
taped as she was already in
New York for her new
appointment as United
Nations Under-Secretary-
General for Internal
Oversight Services.
M e a n w h i l e ,
Commissioner Fabia said
that in the spirit of
Christmas, COAns should
look back at what they have
accomplished and must
always remember that “we
are not only guardians of
the public purse but also
catalysts for excellent
public service.”
COA made the
Christmas celebration
more meaningful by
holding various activities
enjoyed by everyone:
by
A bingo game sponsored
the Philippine
Government Audit Service
Employees Association on
December 14;
A Christmas party for
the kids of the COA Day Care
and children of COA
employees held at the COA
Main Building Lobby where
Chairman Aguinaldo
dressed as Santa Claus on
December 16;
A gift giving and lunch
with COA employees with
Salary Grades 1-6 and job
order personnel held at the
COA Sports and Cultural
Complex on December 16;
A raffle draw by the
Association of National
Government Sector
Auditors, Inc. held at the
COA Building-North Wing
lobby on December 16; and
Ecumenical services for
Roman Catholic, Iglesia ni
Cristo, Christian and Muslim
COAns on December 17.