The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Commission on Audit (COA) are joining the Citizenry Participatory Audit (CPA) program of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accounts (PICPA) as part of the government’s push for enhancing transparency and accountability in government agencies.
The program will refer to the audit of Customs revenue assessment systems by PICPA as a precursor to the COA’s audit. The specific audit areas will be determined during the planning phase and shall be in the form of the terms of reference to be prepared by COA.
The COA holds the constitutional mandate to ensure that public accountability is promoted in government operations through the audit of government systems and transactions. However, due to the increasing magnitude and growing complexity of government operations, COA has played a more proactive role in strengthening its efficiency in undertaking specialized audit engagements.
“The Citizenry Participatory Audit program aims to enhance the transparency in government operations as well as public accountability through COA’s collaboration with citizen groups, recognizing the importance of civil society as essential development partners,” COA chairperson Michael Aguinaldo said in a statement.
“We believe PICPA will be a strong partner in helping us promote the full transparency Filipinos deserve,” Aguinaldo added.
Institutionalizing reforms
PICPA president Dominador Barrion noted “this is the first time a government agency (BOC) signed an agreement allowing a private sector to participate in auditing its agency’s revenue and assessment. PICPA is proud to be a part of this very historic event of institutionalizing reforms in BOC.”
He added that PICPA “will mobilize our accountants and ensure they undertake the audit in accordance with COA’s work program, audit standards, rules and regulations.”
For his part, Customs commissioner Alberto Lina said they will extend all support necessary in the implementation of the CPA program.
“The project will enable the transference level necessary for a good governance audit. We will provide all official records and documents, as well as data necessary to ensure the audit objectives, including facilities all parties will be needing,” Lina said.
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