March 2017

COA
Chronicle
A publication of the Philippine Commission on Audit

We Make
Change
Work for Women

Women’s Month
Special Edition
March, 2017

COA CHRONICLE 1 WOMEN’S MONTH 2017

 COA Chronicle
Editor: Jonathan B. Beltran
Associate Editor: Liza C. Cabalfin
Lay-out artist: Dondi S. de Luna
Writers: Liza C. Cabalfin, Dennis B.
Cariño, Cristy M. Roxas, Edzel M.
Canon, Dondi S. de Luna, Gaerly L.
Sison, Karen R. Recio
Photographers: Jun E. Patacsil, Jimmy
D. Adanza, Dondi S. de Luna, Rod S.
Reyes
Contributors: Assistant Commissioner
Lourdes M. Castillo, Director Fortunata
M. Rubico and Medical and Dental
Services Office
Production and Circulation: Miles G.
Pacheco, Helen Grace A. Dela Cruz,
Ramon A. Caro, Juan C. Asne
COA Chronicle is published by the
Public Information Office - Office of the
Chairperson, Commission on Audit,
Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.
Telefax No. 951-0934. Send your com-
ments, suggestions, and articles to
press@coa.gov.ph
Send issues and concerns to:
COA CITIZENS’ DESK
Text line: +63917 320 6543
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.)
MESSAGE
I join the women and men of the Commission on Audit in
celebrating the 2017 National Women’s Month this whole month of
March with the theme “We Make Change Work for Women”. I am
doubly happy that this year’s celebration is being highlighted by the
more aggressive participation of our women colleagues in the various
sports activities lined up in this year’s Sportsfest, to name a few are
the basketball for women and the precision shooting competition
which in the past are men-dominated.
The holding of the COA Sportsfest is aimed at ensuring a healthy workforce for COA and
likewise an opportunity for us to boost solidarity among us women and men in uprooting
gender inequality, violence against women and women disempowerment. The Commission
has, in fact, taken a lot of initiatives in terms of programs and projects towards advocating
the role of our women in the achievement of the COA GAD Vision and Mission. Our gender
mainstreaming efforts as institutionalized in COA, in collaboration with the Philippine Com-
mission on Women (PCW), has to the greater extent, enhanced public awareness on the role
of women in public governance.
Towards this end, I admonish everyone to seize the opportunity of enjoying this year’s
celebration. Play the games with dignity and uphold sportsmanship, thus, making it a healthy
competition worth remembering for everyone.
May I likewise express my sincere appreciation to the COA Commission Proper and the
whole COA GAD Focal Point System Officers and Members for their unwavering and untiring
efforts in advocating gender equality and women empowerment in this Commission.
Thank you. •
Assistant Commissioner Lourdes M. Castillo
Chairperson, COA-GAD Technical Working Group
CONTENTS
COA - PCW renew partnership p. 4
UN’s SDG featured at COA’s Women’s p. 5
Month celebration
Demographic and Personnel Profile p. 6
as of November 2016
UN conference on women highlights full p. 8
participation and leadership of women in
economy
Chronicles from New York: Report on p. 9
the side events at the UN Commission
on the Status of Women
Blue Team 2017 CO/NCR sportsfest p. 12
overall champ
COA stages Mr. and Mrs. COA 2017 p. 14
Lay Forum on Sexual Harrassment in the
workplace
p. 16
COA CHRONICLE 2 WOMEN’S MONTH 2017

MESSAGES FROM THE
COMMISSION PROPER
MEMBERS
CHAIRPERSON MICHAEL G. AGUINALDO:
We join the nation in celebrating
National Women’s Month focusing on
our collective efforts to effect changes
that respond to gender and develop-
ment (GAD) concerns. The theme,
“We Make Change Work for Women,”
echoes the new administration’s call
for Malasakit at Pagbabago and the
President’s directive for all govern-
ment agencies from barangays to
national government agencies to fully
implement their gender mainstream-
ing strategies.
Our role as auditors is to guide
these agencies to effectively and ef-
ficiently perform their GAD programs
and projects. I am happy to report
that COA has discharged this duty
well, being a pioneer among its peers
in the audit of GAD allocated funds.
We have developed a framework
towards results-focused audit ap-
proach to ensure accountability on the
government’s gender program alloca-
tions.
Our own GAD Focal Point Sys-
tem has been working tirelessly in
implementing GAD programs and
projects in the Commission. Most of
all, I am proud to say that women in
COA are not only the beneficiaries of
GAD programs and projects but are
also drivers of change as leaders in
the Commission. In fact, more than
50% of the highest career posts in the
Commission are occupied by women
and one of the members of the Com-
mission Proper is a woman. I am
fortunate to be working with all of you
hardworking women and men. Let us
continue to actively promote a more
gender-balanced COA.
I wish us all a very productive
National Women’s Month Celebration.
COMMISSIONER JOSE A. FABIA:
The Commission on Audit (COA) is
a women-powered institution and has
always been active in gender main-
streaming in the government. This is
not because almost 70% of COA em-
ployees are women and 72% of third
level positions are held by women, but
because we have always believed in
gender equality.
For a long time, women in COA
have become instruments of good
governance because of their unques-
tionable work ethics and dedicated
service. In the field of auditing and
accounting, our women continue to
make strides not only in our country
but also internationally. During the
60th Session of the United Nations
Commission on the Status of Women
last year, our pioneering audit of GAD
funds was greatly praised by the inter-
national community. In January this
year, we have signed a Memorandum
of Understanding with the Philippine
Commission on Women which formal-
izes the second year of continuous
sharing of knowledge, expertise and
experience on GAD planning, budget-
ing and auditing.
We laud the efforts of our GAD
champions and our women officials
and employees for a job well done. We
honor them for their big hearts and
unbreakable spirits in doing what is
right for this country and for making
the Commission the vanguard of truth
and transparency in government. May
you continue to be the light of our
institution and our motherly refuge
during tough times.
In the last three years of my term,
I shall continue to give my all-out
support to the GAD-related programs
and projects in the Commission. I will
always be the shield that protects our
women in COA like the way I have pro-
COA CHRONICLE 3 WOMEN’S MONTH 2017
tected my five female children. In COA,
we do not need to make change work
for women because our women have
always been at the helm of making
change for our country to be better.
COMMISSIONER ISABEL D. AGITO:
Since the Commission on Audit
institutionalized gender mainstream-
ing efforts through the creation of the
GAD Focal Point System in 2001, the
Commission has implemented vari-
ous capacity building and advocacy
programs that respond to the needs
and concerns of its employees. These
include the conduct of seminar-work-
shops on GAD for COA employees,
dissemination of information on GAD
and the full management of the COA
Day Care Center. Last year, COA col-
laborated with the Philippine Commis-
sion on Women on knowledge-sharing
and capability development program
on mainstreaming gender and devel-
opment concerns in COA and other
government agencies. Moreover, the
Commission has undertaken the audit
of GAD funds to determine the judi-
cious use of the GAD budget as man-
dated by the Magna Carta for Women.
These are changes that have been
brought about by the collective efforts
of present and previous COA leader-
ship, those who have been part of the
GAD Focal Point as well as the contri-
bution of the women and men of COA.
We are the ones who have made these
changes work not only for our women
but also for our men. And we continue
to initiate reforms to further gender
equality in our workplace. Being the
lone woman-member of the Commis-
sion Proper (the fourth in 117 years),
I assure everyone that I will do my
best to be conscientious in bringing
GAD-related concerns in the Commis-
sion’s policies.
May we all have an enjoyable and
meaningful National Women’s Month
celebrations. •
 COA GAD Focal Point System Technical Working Group Chairperson Assistant Commissioner Lourdes M. Castillo, COA GAD Secretariat Chairperson
Director Fortunata M. Rubico, Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Executive Director Emmeline L. Verzosa and PCW Deputy Director Cecile B.
Gutierrez sign the Memorandum of Understanding to renew the partnership between COA and PCW.

EVENT

COA, PCW renew partnership to strengthen

audit of GAD Budgets and enhance capacity
building on GAD mainstreaming
BY GAERLY SISON

To strengthen and intensify the auditing and monitoring of the Gender and Development (GAD) funds, the Commis-
sion on Audit (COA) and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) renewed their partnership last 23 January
2017 at the PCW Conference Room.

The signing of the Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) formalizes
the second year of COA and PCW’s
sharing of knowledge and expertise
on GAD Planning and Budgeting (GPB)
and audit of GAD funds.
Conduct of training for auditors
on GPB, Gender Analysis (GA) and the
use of GA tools are among the several
activities that will be involved in said
partnership.
The MOU and the Work Plan will
be implemented from January to
December 2017 and as stated, the COA
will be assisted by the PCW in enhanc-
ing the capabilities of its auditors on
Gender Mainstreaming. COA auditors,
for their part, are expected to partici-
pate in various activities including the
national and regional GAD fund audit,
regional GAD Budget Forum, and
national GAD Budget Forum, among
others.
According to the PCW, the MOU
that they signed with COA is already
a continuation of an initiative that
the COA and PCW started last year to
ensure that they get the feedback from
COA from their regional levels and
field levels as to what the problems
they encounter in the auditing of GAD
funds. The PCW in return shall help to
capacitate COA auditors in increasing
their understanding on GAD.
The COA and PCW are now work-
ing together to make all the agencies
become gender-responsive and to
achieve results at the impact level.
The COA GAD Focal Point System
(GFPS) has been continuously improv-
ing its performance on gender main-
streaming. Using the PCW’s Gender
Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework,
the COA GFPS is ranked at Level 4 with
a total score of 81.13 or an increase of
5.56 points and one level up from the
2015 score.
Present during the MOU signing
were COA Assistant Commissioner
Lourdes M. Castillo, the COA GAD
Technical Working Group Chairperson,
COA GAD Secretariat Chair Director
Fortunata M. Rubico, PCW Executive
Director Emmeline L. Verzosa, PCW
Deputy Director Cecile B. Gutierrez,
PCW- Technical Services Division Chief
Nharleen S. Millar, PCW Monitoring and
Evaluation Division Chief Macario T.
Jusayan, and officials from the Kingdom
of Bhutan Royal Audit Authority who
visited the Philippines for a week to
learn about GAD mainstreaming in the
country. •

COA CHRONICLE 4 WOMEN’S MONTH 2017

EVENT

UN’s sustainable development goals featured

at COA women’s month celebrations
BY LIZA CABALFIN

The United Nations formally adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September 2015 and already the
Commission on Audit (COA) moved to educate its auditors to plan for the audit of eventual Philippine programs under
the SDG roadmap.

COA held a briefing on the efforts timely, disaggregated and better

of the Philippine Statistical System on quality statistics, including the
Gender Statistics and the SDGs on 9 conduct of a pilot survey on
March 2017 at the Professional Devel- evidence and data on gender
opment Center as part of its national equality (EDGE) measuring
women’s month celebration. Assistant asset and ownership from a
National Statistician Wilma A. Guillen gender perspective and devel-
of the Philippine Statistics Authority opment of methodology for
(PSA) conducted the briefing. generating multidimensional
Officially known as Transform- poverty index.
ing our World: the 2030 Agenda for COA officials emphasized
Sustainable Development, the SDGs the importance of leveling up
are the result of a consultation process auditors’ understanding and
among UN member states, civil society appreciation of gender and de-
and other stakeholders and composed velopment (GAD) data for use in
of 17 goals, 169 unique targets, and the audit of GAD funds as well
Assistant National Statistician Wilma A. Guillen of the Philip-
230 indicators with focus on economic as the need to invest in statistics pine Statistics Authority (PSA) briefs COAns on PSA efforts on
growth, social inclusion and environ- to enhance audit services. • gender statistics and the Sustainable Development Goals on 9
March 2017.
mental protection. The Philippines
is one of 193 UN member states who
committed to the 17 goals in order to
end extreme poverty, fight inequality
and injustice and fix climate change in
the span of 15 years.
Guillen said the member states,
including the Philippines, will develop
indicators at regional, national and
sub-national levels to complement the
global indicators. Guillen suggested
that the possible indicators that COA
can provide are the proportion of total
government spending on essential
services (education, health and social
protection) under Goal 1 (No Poverty)
and proportion of countries with sys-
tems to track and make public alloca-
tions for gender equality and women’s
empowerment under Goal 5 (Gender
Equality).
Assistant Commissioner Luz L. Tolentino seeks clarification during the seminar.
Guillen also shared PSA efforts to
improve the availability of relevant,
COA CHRONICLE 5 WOMEN’S MONTH 2017
COMMISSION ON AUDIT

Demographic and Personnel Profile

as of November 2016

PERSONNEL COMPLEMENT STATISTICS ON GENDER

8,800 8,757 7,000
8,700 5,866
6,000 5,598
8,600
5,000
8,500
4,000 MALE
8,400
2,891 FEMALE
3,000 2,664
8,300 8,262

8,200 2,000

8,100 1,000

8,000 0
2015 2016 2015 2016

STATISTICS ON AGE GROUP STATISTICS ON POSITION LEVEL

2,500 6,000 5,462
2,296
2,000 5,000

4,000
1,500
1,398 FEMALE FEMALE
3,000 2,463
1,000 MALE MALE
859 827 841
699 645 2,000
500 467 490
234 1,000
403 425
0 1
0 1 2
0-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61 and 0
above 3RD LEVEL 2ND LEVEL 1ST LEVEL

STATISTICS ON SOLO PARENTS

2,882
FEMALE
MALE

5,679

COA CHRONICLE 6 WOMEN’S MONTH 2017

 STATISTICS ON CIVIL STATUS
WIDOW/ER 11
114

SINGLE 1,196
1,987

MARRIED 1,680
3,735 MALE
LEGALLY 2 FEMALE
SEPARATED 10

DIVORCED 0
5

ANNULLED 2
15

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000

STATISTICS ON GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400 FEMALE
200
MALE
0
CAR
Region I
Region II
Region III

Region X
Central Office

Region V

Region IX
Region VI
Region VII
Region VIII

Region XI
Region XII
Region XIII

ARMM
Region XVI
Region IV-A
Region IV-B
National Capital Region

STATISTICS ON POSITION GROUPING

6,000

4,000

2,000

0
FEMALE
MALE

COA CHRONICLE 7 WOMEN’S MONTH 2017

EVENT
UN conference on
women highlights
full participation and
leadership of women
in economy
BY LIZA CABALFIN
The 61st Session of the United Nations
Commission on the Status of Women
(UNCSW) held at the UN headquarters in
New York on 13 to 24 March 2017 cen-
tered on “Women’s economic empower-
ment in the changing world of work” as
its priority theme. The conference also
discussed challenges and achievements
in the implementation of the Millennium
Development Goals for women and girls
as well as the emerging issue of empow-
erment of indigenous women.
The UNCSW is a global policy-making
body dedicated exclusively to promoting
gender equality and the empowerment of
women. Its annual sessions include ministe-
rial segments with roundtables and other
high-level interactive dialogues, general
discussions, and interactive and expert panel
discussions. Stakeholders organize side
events to draw attention to critical aspects of
the work on gender equality
UN Under-Secretary-General and
Executive Director of UN Women Phumzile
Mlambo Ngcuka observed that the outcomes
are important building blocks to ensure that
2030 will be the year that the world achieves
substantive equality. “The Commission has
recognized the importance of removing
structural barriers to women’s economic
empowerment, including ending all forms
of violence against women; and harassment
of women and girls everywhere, be it in the
public or private space,” Ngcuka said.
“We also recognized the importance of
ensuring that all of the structural impedi-
ments to women’s economic empowerment
are addressed, both in the formal context in
the public sector as well as in the private sec-
tor,” she added.
Assistant Commissioner Lourdes M. Castillo and Director Fortunata M. Rubico join the Philippine Delega-
tion at the side event on the road to Indigenous People Empowerment. (photo courtesy of DBM Undersec-
retary Agnes G. Bailen)
Among the structural barriers that
impede gender equality identified at the Con-
ference were “unequal working conditions,
women’s over-representation in the informal
economy, gender stereotypes and social
norms that reinforce women’s concentration
in certain sectors, and the uneven share of
unpaid care work that women do.”
Measures that Member States committed
to pursue include “implementation of equal
pay policies through social dialogue, collec-
tive bargaining, job evaluations and gender
pay audits as well as providing equal pay and
social protection to create decent work for
paid care and domestic workers.”
One hundred sixty two Member States, in-
cluding the Philippines, and over 3,900 repre-
sentatives from 580 civil society organizations
participated in the two-week conference.
Meanwhile, Commission on Audit (COA)
Assistant Commissioner Lourdes M. Castillo,
Chairperson of COA’s Gender and Develop-
ment (GAD) Focal Point System Technical
Working Group, and Director Fortunata M.
Rubico, Chairperson of COA GAD Secretariat,
joined the Philippine delegation from 13 to 17
March 2017.
Assistant Commissioner Castillo and
Director Rubico attended the Opening Session
Ministerial Round Table B on “Technology
Changing the World of Work”, General Discus-
sions, and Interactive Dialogue on “Challenges
and Achievements in the Implementation of
the MDGs for Women and Girls”.
The COA representatives also supported
side events sponsored by Philippines: The
Road to Indigenous People Empowerment
on 16 March and Women in Emergencies:
Promoting and Protecting their Rights on
COA CHRONICLE 8 WOMEN’S MONTH 2017
17 March. The Philippines also sponsored
#Here4Her: making Reintegration Work
for Filipino Women Migrant Workers on 20
March.
Representatives from government
agencies such as National Commission on
Indigenous Peoples, Departments of Agrarian
Reform, Trade and Industry, Labor and Em-
ployment, Budget and Management, Foreign
Affairs and Science and Technology as well
as non-government organizations (NGOs)
such as Industrial Federation for Business
and Professionals, P4MP Toboso, ARMM-RLA,
NCRO and Coca-Cola from the business sector
complete the Philippine delegation headed
by Chairperson Rhodora M. Bucoy Philippine
Commission on Women.
The COA officials also attended side
events hosted by other countries, interna-
tional organizations and NGOs to observe
presentations pertaining to transparency and
accountability governance under Goal 16 of
the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
and in relation to Goal 5 - Achieve Gender
Equality and Empower Women and Girls (see
related article- editor).
“Our plan is for COA to host a side event,
hopefully to be co-sponsored by other Su-
preme Audit Institutions, on benchmark and
best practices on performance audits (Goal 16
on transparent and accountable governance)
of programs pertaining to Goal 5,” Director
Rubico said.
The United Nations reiterated that
gender equality and the empowerment of all
women and girls and women’s full and equal
participation and leadership in the economy
are vital to achieve sustainable development
at the conclusion of the 61st Session on 24
March 2017. •
EVENT

Chronicles from New York: report on the side events at

the UN Commission on the Status of Women

BY ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER LULU

CASTILLO AND DIRECTOR NATY RUBICO

(Editor’s note: Assistant Commissioner Lourdes M. Castillo and Director Fortunata M. Rubico joined the Philippine delegation to the 61st Ses-
sion of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women from 13 to 17 March 2017. The following are their accounts of the side events
that they attended.)

The authors with the Philippine delegation at the UN CSW 61st session (photo courtesy of DBM Undersecretary Agnes G. Bailen)

Day One- 13 March 2017 policy on deployment of women

• Side event: Achieving SDGs:
The Role of Women Peacekeep-
ers in Community Building
Hosted by Indonesia and Finland
Highlights: The main focus of
the side event is on the roles, chal-
lenges and opportunities concern-
ing the deployment of Indonesian
women peacekeepers deployed
to Democratic Republic of Congo
through the UN Department of
Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO).
Recommendations: Revisit
the Philippine Government’s
peacekeepers, including benefits
and incentives; explore training
opportunities for women peace-
keepers through the UN DPKO; and
possible increase of deployment
of women peacekeepers to con-
tribute to the attainment of the
15% deployment level this year
onwards.
Day Two- 14 March 2017
UN has no office due to the
blizzard. All activities and side
events scheduled for this day were
cancelled.
COA CHRONICLE 9 WOMEN’S MONTH 2017
Day Three- 15 March 2017
• Side event: Accessible Cities
and the Needs of Women with
Disabilities and Older Women
Sponsored by Germany
Highlights: The focus of the
discussion is on the prevention
and elimination of and response to
violence, abuse and exploitation of
women and girls with disabilities.
There were three priority areas
discussed: (1) issues on access for
women and girls with disabilities
in order to prevent or eliminate
violence, exploitation and abuse;
(2) issues on rights protection of
persons with disabilities; and (3)
issues on the provision of tools
and strategies for women and girls
with disabilities.
Recommendations: pact of these programs should be
Revisit/review whether build-
ing codes, infrastructure policies,
health and education programs,
and other related policies and pro-
grams have considered provisions
on accessibility and inclusivity for
persons with disabilities and sen-
ior citizens to basic services and
facilities and structures, includ-
ing mass transportation systems.
Appropriate government agencies
may recommend amendments or
revisions to existing legislations
or policies, or introduce new ones.
• Side event: Empowerment of
Women in rural and insecure
areas in Afghanistan
Sponsored by Afghanistan , India
and Norway
Highlights: This side event
discusses the rehabilitation and
rebuilding of Afghanistan, with
primary focus on women in rural
and insecure areas. The Norwe-
gian Government has been pro-
viding financial, technical and
structural assistance for years. On
the other hand, with its enduring
friendship, the Indian Government
is a steady partner for decades by
providing financial, technical, cap-
ital investments such as physical
and technological infrastructures.
The SEWA Program of India is one
notable program focusing on basic
skills and livelihood programs for
rural and insecure women and
girls.
Recommendations: The armed
conflict and terrorism in Afghani-
stan are no different from our own
country’s experiences, except that
Afghanistan has strong and steady
support from foreign govern-
ments. For the Philippine Govern-
ment and our policy makers, there
may be a need to rethink and
review the financial and technical
assistance provided by develop-
ing partners in certain programs
concerning rural women and chil-
dren caught in conflict, and those
who become subjects of violence,
for coherence and consistency to
avoid duplication and waste of
government resources. The im-
closely monitored and measured
to ensure that the program ob-
jectives and success indicators
of specific goals of the SDGs are
achieved accordingly.
• Side event: Care Policies in the
Agenda 2030: Advancing Tri-
ple R Framework To Recognize,
Reduce and Redistribute Unpaid
Care Work
Sponsored by Argentina, Iceland,
Kenya, the Philippines and Swit-
zerland with the UNB Women, ILO,
IFAD, and Promundo
Highlights: The very purpose
of the side event is to discuss in-
novative measures how to imple-
ment the Triple R Framework:
(1) Recognizing the importance
of care work; (2) Reducing the
drudgery and workload of women
and girls; and (3) Redistributing
the responsibilities to both wom-
en and men. The current set up
showed that women are focused
on domestic work, such as cook-
ing, washing and cleaning; and
are usually unpaid for this work.
Women work six hours or more
than men do. In sum, majority of
women are unpaid care workers.
The amount of time in unpaid care
work have not been measured or
quantified as most of these are
done at the same time with paid
care work, i.e. addressing needs of
families while at work.
Recommendations: While the
Philippines have pertinent laws
and policies pertaining to paid
labor and health care, there is still
a need to: (1) quantify and meas-
ure unpaid care work of women
and children, especially in poor,
depressed and rural areas; and (2)
have clear definition and measure-
ment parameters on what is an
unpaid care work of women and
children at home versus regular
house duty of cleaning, cooking
and providing for the family. It
COA CHRONICLE 10 WOMEN’S MONTH 2017
is also recommended that gov-
ernment must fund more infra-
structure programs such as water
sanitation, energy and education
in rural areas in a way that will
reduce the burden of women and
girls.
Day Four: 16 March 2017
• Side event: Trafficking of
Women and Children Fleeing
Conflicts
Sponsored by Italy, Nigeria, Jordan
and the Philippines with ARMM-
RLA Assemblywoman Irene P. Tillah
Highlights: This side event
highlights efforts of different
countries in helping women and
children caught in conflict due
to war, terrorism, violence and
abuse. The discussion also centers
on women and children as refu-
gees for similar reasons, which
brought forth international migra-
tion and human rights issues as
well.
Recommendations: While
human trafficking of women
and children are universal hu-
man rights concerns of countries
around the world, the degree of
government response differs in
terms of policies and programs.
We noted that the Philippines
has more advanced policies and
programs addressing trafficking
of women and children, and those
women and children caught in
conflict. There is need, however,
for more efficient and effective
implementation, monitoring and
reporting of these programs to
ensure more transparent and ac-
countable governance, and that
the benefits of the programs are
cascaded down to the intended
beneficiaries or recipients regard-
less of social, political or econom-
ic status or persuasion.
• Side event: Work-life (Im)bal-
ance
Sponsored by Hungary
Highlights: This side event
discusses the policies and best
practices of the government of
Hungary, through its Ministry mentation of these projects for areas with limited economic
of Human Capital, on work and women’s economic rights. participation and opportunity.
life balance. These policies and Recommendations: The Phil- The challenge is for government
best practices include assessing ippines placed 7th in the overall to reach out to these women at
women to have choices and posi- 2016 Global Gender Gap Index, the grassroots and provide them
tions and for 90% of women to and 21st in Economic Participa- with economic opportunities to
have children or wanting to have tion and Opportunity sub-index. improve the livelihood of their
children; providing child care al- It appears that Filipino women families and live with dignity;
lowance package and paid leave in urban centers are more em- thus, contributing to higher rank
for mothers until child reaches powered than the other women for the sub-index on Economic
3 years; providing grandmothers of the world. The same, however, Participation and Opportunity and
with pension for those who have may not be true for Filipino rural to the achievement of Goal 5 of the
reached 40 years of service; pro- women and women in conflict SDGs. •
viding day care for children up to
kindergarten for working parents;
and providing incentives for busi-
nesses that would offer the same
benefits and facilities for working
parents in the private sector. This
side event also focuses on the use
of art, culture, music, sports, and
charity work as a way of balanc-
ing work and life, as shared by the
successful women in these fields.
Recommendations:
There is so much to learn from the
Hungarian Government in terms of
flexible working hours for parents
with children. The Civil Service
Commission could learn from the
human capital policies and best
practices of Hungary in terms
of flexible working hours, work
from home, day care facilities in
government offices, among oth-
ers. Similarly, the private sector,
through the Department of Labor
and Employment, could learn from
Hungary’s best labor practices in
the private sector.

• Side event: Strategies to Trans-

form: Empowering Women for
Economic Rights
Hosted by Republic of Korea, Inter-
national Council of Women

Highlights: The focus of the

side event is about providing
decent and dignified work for
women as economic rights and
not merely “work” alone. Panelists
urge participants to engage their
respective governments to provide
budget allocation for projects that The authors join other members of the Philippine delegation after attending
empower women and their eco- one of the side events at the 61st session of the UN CSW.
nomic rights. They further urge
participants to hold their govern-
ments accountable for the imple-

COA CHRONICLE 11 WOMEN’S MONTH 2017

COAns in the Central Office and National Capital Region participate in various sports events and physical activities (clockwise): darts, chess,
billiards, volleyball, women’s basketball, table tennis, track & field, presicion shooting, fun run and bowling.

COA CHRONICLE 12 WOMEN’S MONTH 2017

Commissioner Isabel D. Agito (center, lower) joins the precision shooting competition for executive level. Winners of the Central Office/NCR
sports competions will represent the region in the nationwide sports festival in May.

COA CHRONICLE 13 WOMEN’S MONTH 2017

EVENT

Blue Team
2017 CO/NCR
sportsfest
overall champ
Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo officiates over the ceremonial jump ball to
signal the start of the basketball competition.
BY DONDI DE LUNA

After two weeks of intense and exciting games, the Commission on Audit (COA) Central Office (CO)/National Capital
Region (NCR) sportsfest has finally come to a conclusion last 10 March 2017. The Blue Team composed of the Corporate
Government Sector, Commission Proper Adjudication and Secretariat Support Services and Local Government Sectors
was the overall champion.
The Green Team, composed of could still be put to practice. Play hard The awarding of prizes was held at
the Administration, Professional and and play fair, be kind and gracious to the COA Cultural and Sports Complex on
Institutional Development and Systems your teammates and be humble to vic- 10 March 2017. Winners will represent
and Technical Services Sectors placed tory. Win as you should win and lose the Team NCR at Baguio City from 1 to 3
second. as if you enjoyed it so much,” Commis- May 2017 where they will compete with
Third placed Yellow Team was sioner Isabel D. Agito said. other Regions for the annual national
composed of the National Government, “In every game and every competi- sports festival to highlight COA’s 118th
Government Accountancy and Special tion, there is always a winner and there anniversary celebration. •
Services Sectors. is always a loser. Not all can be
In fourth place was the Red Team first placers and not all can be
composed of Executive Offices, Local last placers. Everyone showed
Government and Professional and Insti- sportsmanship, the kind of
tutional Development Sectors. care, concern, love and team-
“Congratulations to the winners work which is supposed to be
especially the Blue Team who practiced the essence of our two-week
the best team work. For the losers, it’s celebration,” Assistant Com-
too late for regrets but the game has just missioner Lourdes M. Castillo
began for the national level so hopes added.

The Blue Team composed of the Corporate, Commission Proper Adjudication and Secretariat Support Services
and Local Government Secretary was the over-all champion of the sports competition.

COA CHRONICLE 14 WOMEN’S MONTH 2017

EVENTS
COA stages Mr. and Mrs. COA 2017, folk
dance contests
BY GAERLY SISON
The Commission on Audit (COA) Central Office, in celebration of COA’s 118th Anniversary, staged a Mr. and Mrs. COA and
folk dance contests last 8 March 2017 at the COA Professional Development Center Auditorium. For a change, instead
of staging the usual pageant for single COAns, the contest was joined by couples who are legally married husband and
wife and are both working in the Commission for at least three years.
Mr. Arturo M. Romerde and Mrs. Marissa
M. Romerde, both from the National Govern-
ment Sector, emerged as the winners. They
will be competing again as the representatives
of the COA-National Capital Region for the
national contest to be held at the COA Sports
and Cultural Center on 8 May 2017 with the
winners from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Mr. Eleazar E. Castillo from the Com-
mission Proper Adjudication and Secretariat
Support Services Sector and Mrs. April Allou
R. Castillo from the Corporate Government
Sector were the first runners-up.
The couples competed and entertained
the audience in four categories: business/ cor-
porate attire, casual attire, talent, and question
and answer.
During the talent portion, Mr. and Mrs.
Romerde serenaded each other with a duet
of the song “Unforgettable” and even danced
with each other which the audience found
sweet and inspiring.
For their part, Mr. and Mrs. Castillo en-
tertained the audience with their rendition of
the songs “Man in The Mirror” and “Beautiful”
followed by a dance number of Lady Gaga’s
“Born This Way”.
For the question and answer portion,
each member of the panel of judges asked
topics related to work and family life balance,
work ethics and moral values with a Gender
and Development perspective. The panel of
judges is composed of Assistant Commission-
er Manolo C. Sy, Assistant Commissioner Luz
L. Tolentino, and Ms. Cecile Gutierrez from
the Philippine Commission on Women who
also acted as the Chairperson of the Board of
Judges.
One of the questions from the judges was
“As a couple, can you share your strategy and
approach that you are adopting to balance
work and family life?” Mr. Romerde replied:
“In our 29 years of being married, we were
able to balance the equilibrium of both COA
and family. There are a lot of sacrifices espe- Ms. Ma. Victoria Tecson Caringal, Chairperson
cially when we were not in good terms but of the PUP-CHK.
a lot of patience, understanding and staying Mr. Paul Jonel J. Policar and Ms. Veronica
close to God keep us together.” Angela Balon, both from the PIDS, hosted the
While Mr. and Mrs. Castillo shared that program. •
as a couple, whenever one of them
is deployed to do field work or on an
official travel, compromise is very
important and that they transcend
traditional gender roles. One has to do
both the roles of the father and mother
in taking care of their children.
Even though only two couples
joined the contest, the PDC audito-
rium was filled to the brim with COA
officials and employees who were all
excited to witness the fun event and
definitely enjoyed the numbers pre-
pared by the two sets of candidates.
Meanwhile, the winners of the
folk dance competition were Je-
mairan S. Ricaro, Muhammad Reza M.
Mamowalas, Nor-Hashima S. Salacop,
Jonathan Adrian B. Buena, Maria Eliza-
beth E. Decasa, and Daniella Dave V.
Purugganan who performed a Tausug
Medley of four dances. The board of
judges for the folk dance competition
was composed of Ms. Maripres P. Pas-
Mr. Arturo M. Romerde and Mrs. Marissa M. Romerde
cua, Dean of the Polytechnic Univer-
sity of the
Philippines
(PUP)
College of
Human
Kinetics
(CHK), Mr.
Amado
dela Cruz,
Jr., a Tour-
ism Officer
of the Qu-
ezon City The Blue Team wins the folk dance competition.
Tourism Department, and
COA CHRONICLE 15 WOMEN’S MONTH 2017
 Mr. Arturo Romerde serenades his wife, Marissa, during the talent portion of the
Mr. and Mrs. COA 2017 contest

The winning couple joins the panel of judges and hosts of the pageant.

First runner-up Mr. and Mrs. Eleazar and April Castillo entertained the audience with their rendition of the
songs “Man in the Mirror” and “Beautiful.”
COA CHRONICLE 16 WOMEN’S MONTH 2017
The Blue Team who performed a Tausug medly of four dances won the folk dance contest.

COA CHRONICLE 17 WOMEN’S MONTH 2017

 tion; promotions; or other privileges.
Examples include when a
EVENTS supervisor pushes an employee
to spend more personal time with
COA conducts lay forum him or her and making a romantic
date as a requisite for receiving
on the psychological a raise. Refusal to accept sexual
effects of sexual favors would mean discrimination
or deprivation of employment op-
harassment at the portunities.
workplace “Thank God, after many years
of working with COA, I have not
received any complaints of sexual
BY DENNIS CARIÑO harassments. But that does not
mean that there is no sexual harass-
Making lewd comments about a per- ment happening in the Commission.
son’s looks, using offensive language Maybe victims are just afraid to Dr. Angela Halili-Jao discusses the various effects of sexual har-
rassment in the workplace.
of a sexual nature, telling sexual jokes come out,” Dr. Halili-Jao said.
or stories, making sexual innuendoes, Victims of sexual harassment may be reassigned to a more difficult position
or displaying sexually suggestive ma- suffer physical, psychological, mental, and or transferred away from home and family.
terials. These are just some examples emotional breakdown. According to Dr. Filing a complaint can also be divisive in the
of sexual harassment that could hap- Halili-Jao, victims of sexual harassment workplace, as some employees will side with
pen in an office or at the workplace. may experience strained relationships in the victim and others will not. Conditions on
the workplace and they are also at risk of the job may become intolerable and cause
As part of the Commission on Audit’s numerous health problems like depression, victims to resign. Sexual harassment can have
(COA) celebration of women’s month, a lay post-traumatic stress disorder, high blood lasting effects, as it can negatively affect the
forum on psychological effects of sexual pressure, sleep problems, and neck pain. victims’ work records.
harassment in the workplace was held on 15 Also, a number of sexual harassment victims Sexual harassment can be difficult to
March 2017 at the SAADO Auditorium. have higher tendencies to commit suicide. prove especially if it becomes a he said/she
Dr. Angela Aida W. Halili-Jao, a psychia- The victims experience a sequence of said event. To protect yourself from it, Dr.
trist working as a consultant in providing changes. Initially, they often feel that the Halili-Jao recommended the following:
professional medical health service to COA incident is an isolated event that will not be • Say ‘No’ or ‘Stop it’ firmly and loud
employees and their immediate dependents, repeated. When it happens again and again, enough for someone to hear. If there are po-
discussed what constitutes sexual harass- victims feel confused and blame themselves tential witnesses, reject the advances through
ment and when does one draw the line. for not recognizing what was happening. As firm but polite refusal.
According to Dr. Halili-Jao, Republic the harassment continues, victims develop • Express objection to the person’s
Act 7877 or the Anti-Sexual Harassment anxiety and their concentration is impaired. behavior clearly and firmly but avoid making
Act of 1995 states that sexual harassment They feel targeted, scrutinized, and trapped. too much fuss about it.
in a work-related environment is commit- They may avoid work, take a leave of ab- • Express disapproval and be clear
ted when a person demands, requests, or sence, change jobs, or be fired. about it.
requires sexual favors from another person Sexual harassment may also affect its • If the person asks why, tell him or
in exchange for things such as hiring for victims economically. Victims may be denied her that it makes you uncomfortable and you
employment, re-employment, or continued training opportunities, promotions, or raises. don’t think it’s appropriate behavior.
employment; granting favorable compensa- In retaliation for making a complaint, they • Don’t smile and don’t apologize
either. You’ll come off as weak and uncon-
vincing.
• Document the event/s
• Inform someone about what hap-
pened
• File a complaint
Sexual harassment is punishable under
Republic Act 7877and the provisions of the
Revised Penal Code on Acts of Lascivious-
ness.
RA 7877 penalizes sexual harassment
with imprisonment of 1 to 6 months, a fine of
P10,000 to P20,000, or both. Acts of lascivi-
COAns listen to Dr. Halili-Jao’s discussion on how to protect oneself from ousness, on the other hand, could mete im-
sexual harassment at the workplace prisonment under the Revised Penal Code. •

COA CHRONICLE 18 WOMEN’S MONTH 2017

Program of Activities National Women’s Month
March 2017
February 27, 2017 (Monday)
8:30 am— 10:00 am Opening Ceremonies
• Flag Raising Ceremony to be led by COA GAD
Focal Point System
(Venue: In front of the COA Main Building)
• Opening Prayer – Director Melanie R. Añonuevo
• Philippine National Anthem – Audio Clip
• Panunumpa sa Watawat at Panunumpa ng mga
Kawani ng Gobyerno — Director Lorna D. Cabochan
• COA Hymn – PFMS Choir
• Launching of Information and Education Campaign
(IEC) Material of the COA GAD Focal Point System
• Opening Remarks — Asst. Comm. Lourdes M. Castillo
Chair, Technical Working Group COA GAD
Focal Point System
• Inspirational Messages:
- Commissioner Isabel D. Agito
- Commissioner Jose A. Fabia
- Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo
Snacks——Snacks——Snacks
February 27 to March 3, 2017 Blue - CGS, CPASSSS, LSS
• Trainors’ Training of Resource Persons on the Audit
of GAD Funds Lighting of Tournament Flame
(Venue: PIDS)
March 6, 2017 (Monday)
8:30 am— 9:00 am • Flag Raising Ceremony to be led by COA 9:00 am Opening Program
GAD Focal Point System
(Venue: In front of the COA Main Building)
• Opening Prayer – Director Fidela M. Tan
• Philippine National Anthem – Audio Clip
• Panunumpa sa Watawat at Panunumpa ng mga Kawani
ng Gobyerno — Director Carmen O. Antasuda
• COA Hymn – PFMS Choir
March 9, 2017
9:00 am— 12:00 pm • Briefing on Sex Disaggregated Data
Resource Person: Ms. Wilma F. Guillen
Assistant National Statistician Philippine Statistical Authority Red - Executive Offices, LGS, PFMS
March 13, 2017 (Monday)
8:30 am— 9:00 am • Flag Raising Ceremony to be led by COA Green - Admin Sector, PIDS, STSS
GAD Focal Point System
(Venue: In front of the COA Main Building)
• Opening Prayer – Director Marie Macel O. Tejada
• Philippine National Anthem – Audio Clip
• Panunumpa sa Watawat at Panunumpa ng mga 9:00 am Opening Program
Kawani ng Gobyerno — Director Sofia C. Gemora
• COA Hymn – PFMS Choir
March 14, 2017 (Tuesday)
9:00 am— 12:00 nn • Seminar on Urban Gardening
Resource Persons:
Noli P. Garcia, Agriculturist II
Ernie Lito Bollosa, Agriculturist II
Federico Merlan, Admin Aide VI
Crop Research and Production Support Division
Bureau of Plant Industry
March 15, 2017 (Wednesday)
2:00pm-4:00 pm • Lay Forum on Psychological Effects of Sexual
Harassment in the Workplace
Resource Person: Dr. Angela Aida H. Jao
Medical and Dental Services, HRMO
(Venue: SAADO Auditorium)
March 20, 2017 (Monday)
8:30 am— 9:00 am • Flag Raising Ceremony to be led by COA March 10, 2017 (Friday)
GAD Focal Point System
(Venue: In front of the COA Main Building)
COA CHRONICLE 19 WOMEN’S MONTH 2017
• Opening Prayer – Director Luzvi P. Chatto
• Philippine National Anthem – Audio Clip
• Panunumpa sa Watawat at Panunumpa ng mga Kawani
ng Gobyerno — Director Irma S. Besas
• COA Hymn – PFMS Choir
March 27, 2017 (Monday)
8:30 am— 9:00 am • Flag Raising Ceremony to be led by COA
GAD Focal Point System
(Venue: In front of the COA Main Building)
• Opening Prayer – Dr. Marifi Rochelle G. Dizon
• Philippine National Anthem – Audio Clip
• Panunumpa sa Watawat at Panunumpa ng mga Kawani
ng Gobyerno — Director Bresilo R. Sabaldan
• COA Hymn – PFMS Choir
Closing Program
Program of Activities CO/NCR Sports
Competition March 1 to 10, 2017
March 1, 2017 (Wednesday)
8:00 am Parade of Players Assembly: Gimenez Plaza
Red - Executive Offices, LGS, PFMS
Yellow Gold - GAS, NGS, SSS
Green - Admin Sector, PIDS, STSS
Lorna T. Muldez
Zumba Exhibition
COA Cultural and Sports Center
(Venue: In front of COA Cultural and Sports Center)
Opening Prayer - Carol Ferrer
Singing of Lupang Hinirang - Randell Bejasa
Welcome Remarks - Asst. Comm. Lourdes M. Castillo
Inspirational Messages - Commissioner Isabel D. Agito
Commissioner Jose A. Fabia
Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo
Formal Opening of Games - Asst. Comm. Lourdes M. Castillo
Oath of Sportsmanship - Atty. Haide T. Espuelas
Ceremonial Ball Tossing - Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo 8:00 am
Parade of Players Assembly: Gimenez Plaza
Yellow Gold - GAS, NGS, SSS
Blue - CGS, CPASSSS, LSS
Lighting of Tournament Flame
Lorna T. Muldez
Zumba Exhibition
COA Cultural and Sports Center
(Venue: In front of COA Cultural and Sports Center)
Opening Prayer - Carol Ferrer
Singing of Lupang Hinirang - Randell Bejasa
Welcome Remarks - Asst. Comm. Lourdes M. Castillo
Inspirational Messages - Commissioner Isabel D. Agito
Commissioner Jose A. Fabia
Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo
Formal Opening of Games - Asst. Comm. Lourdes M. Castillo
Oath of Sportsmanship - Atty. Haide T. Espuelas
Ceremonial Ball Tossing - Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo
March 1 to 10, 2017
8:00 am onwards Sports Competition
(Please refer to Schedule of Games)
March 8, 2017 (Wednesday)
5:30 a.m. Fun Run (Registration and Start/Finish Line)
(Venue: COA Cultural and Sports Center)
2:00 pm- 5:00 pm - Mr. and Mrs. COA
- Folk Dance Competition
- Intermission Number: COA CO Choir
(Venue: PIDS Auditorium)
2:00 p.m. onwards Closing Program and Awarding Ceremonies
(Venue: COA Cultural and Sports Center)
COA Gender and Development Focal Point System
Executive Committee
Chairperson - Commissioner Isabel D. Agito
Members - Assistant Commissioner Elizabeth S. Zosa
Assistant Commissioner Lourdes M. Castillo
Assistant Commissioner Carmela S. Perez
Assistant Commissioner Winnie Rose H. Encallado
Assistant Commissioner Luz L. Tolentino
Assistant Commissioner Susan P. Garcia
Assistant Commissioner Alexander B. Juliano
Assistant Commissioner Manolo C. Sy
Assistant Commissioner Rizalina Q. Mutia
Assistant Commissioner Delfin P. Aguilar
Technical Working Group
Chairperson - Assistant Commissioner Lourdes M. Castillo
Government Accountancy Sector (GAS)
Members - Director Carmina Paulita J. Pagayawan
Office of the Chairperson
Director Teresita B. Mendoza
Office of Commissioner Jose A. Fabia
Director Joel S. Estolatan
Office of Commissioner Isabel D. Agito
Committees
Committee on Audit and Gender Issue Analysis
Chairperson - Assistant Commissioner Rizalina Q. Mutia
Local Government Sector (LGS)
Members - Director Lucila M. Isidro
National Capital Region - LGS
Director Sofia C. Gemora
Cluster 5, National Government Sector (NGS)
Director Pearl L. Ramos
Cluster 3, Corporate Government Sector (CGS)
Director Marie Macel O. Tejada
Human Resource Management Office (HRMO)
Committee on Protection of Women
Chairperson - Director Nilda B. Plaras
Office of the Commission Secretariat
Co-Chair - Director Fidela M. Tan
Internal Audit Office
Members - Director Bresilo R. Sabaldan
Fraud Audit Office
Ms. May Linda M. Vegafria
Cluster 4, CGS
Ms. Ana D. Gellecanao
Accounting Systems Development and Other All of the Information Technology Office (ITO)
Services Office
Ms. Vinci A. Beltran
Office of the Chairperson
Atty. Rochelle C. Lancanan
PhilGASEA Representative
Committee on Finance
Chairperson - Director Veronica C. Coscos
Risk Management and Budget Office (RMBO)
Co-Chair - Director Ma. Fe A. Dinapo
Accounting Office
Members - Director Gertrudes P. Donato
Ms. Rebecca C. Dacanay
Ms. Lilia A. Cillo
Ms. Germaine Paz C. Borres
All of the RMBO
COA CHRONICLE
Committee on Personnel Welfare
Chairperson - Director Noel B. Clemente
Co-Chair - Dr. Marifi Rochelle C. Dizon
Members - Ms. Jazmin C. Macabangon
Ms. Imelda V. Clave
Ms. Emily P. Oida
All of the HRMO
Atty. Jeremy H. Gariando
PhilGASEA Representative
Committee on Regional Gender and Development
Chairperson - Director Carmelita O. Antasuda
Co-Chair - Director Sisinia H. Estorosos
Members - Director Reynaldo G. Gamutan
Ms. Annabeth D. Mendoza
Ms. Mary Grace G. Serenio
All of the LGS
Committee on Training and Advocacy
Chairperson - Director Melanie R. Añonuevo
Co-Chair - Director Susana S. Medez
Members - Ms. Melinda E. Fetalco
Ms. Gina P. Erandio
Ms. Ivy F. Dupaya
Ms. Miriam S. Gajarion
All of the Professional Development Office
Committee on Sports and Physical Fitness
Chairperson - Director Fortunata M. Rubico
Prosecution and Litigation Office
Co-Chair - Director Wilfredo A. Agito
Cluster 6, CGS
Members - Director Irma S. Besas
Cluster 4, NGS
Director Luis S. Mejia
General Services Office (GSO)
Ms. Annabeth D. Mendoza
LGS
Dr. Karlo A. Cayetano
HRMO
Atty. Haide T. Espuelas
PhilGASEA President
Committee on Database and Website Development and Maintenance
Chairperson - Director Lorna D. Cabochan
Co-Chair - Director Lourdes T. Cardenas
Members - Ms. Carolina B. Banda
Ms. Janika C. Vergara
Mr. Troy Vincent A. Lucena
Secretariat:
Chairperson - Director Fortunata M. Rubico
Prosecution and Litigation Office
Co-Chair - Director Luzvi P. Chatto
Accounting Systems Development and Other
Services Office
Members - Director Jonathan B. Beltran
Public Information Office
Mr. Rolito S. Sondon
General Services Office
Ms. Teresita S. Villanueva
Human Resource Management Office
Ms. Luisa S. Nadonga
Office of the Assistant Commissioner, GAS
Ms. Maria Careen R. Recio
Public Information Office
20 WOMEN’S MONTH 2017