By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has been named as among the “outstanding accounting offices” for 2021 by a group of government accountants.
In a letter from the Association of Government Accountants of the Philippines (AGAP), its national president and Budget Undersecretary Tina Rose Marie Canda said the DILG was chosen by the Commission on Audit (COA) as one of the awardees for its quality, timeliness, and accuracy of calendar year (CY) 2021 financial reports.
This makes the DILG the first-ever big national government agency (NGA) to win the award for its observance of the highest standard of quality in complying with stringent government rules on financial reporting.
In a statement on Thursday, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. thanked the AGAP for the award which he said is a testament to the agency’s commitment to quality, timeliness, and accuracy in its finances from the Central Office down to the regional and field offices.
“Our sincere appreciation to AGAP for this award. Rest assured that the DILG will continue to promote transparent, sound, and excellent fiscal management in the Department from the Central Office down to the field offices,” Abalos said.
He also commended Assistant Secretary for Administration, Finance, and Comptrollership Ester A. Aldana and all DILG accounting personnel all over the country for demonstrating integrity and commitment to respond to the challenges and demands of ensuring sound and efficient fiscal management and operations within the department.
Abalos said the award signifies that the DILG accounting office truly embodies core values of dedication to public service, integrity and innovativeness, leadership by example, good governance, client focus, and organizational competence and effectiveness.
“Malaki ang responsibilidad ng ating accounting offices dahil sa kanila nakaatang ang pagsisiguro ng masinop at maayos na paggastos ng pondo ng opisina. Dahil sa award na ito, pinatunayan ninyong kayo ay tunay na matino, mahusay at maaasahan (Our accounting offices have a great responsibility because they are entrusted with ensuring the prudent and proper spending of office funds. Because of this award, you have proven yourself to be truly sensible, efficient and reliable),” said Abalos.
Aldana, who received the award on behalf of DILG, said AGAP was “an institution that promotes the interest of government accountants and improves the practice of government accountancy.”
“It is gratifying, motivating, and reassuring to see all the awardees whose respective accounting offices were chosen by COA. Your collaborative efforts and resolve contributed greatly in the pursuit to come out with quality, accurate, and truthful financial reports,” Aldana said in her opening message during the recently conducted awards rites in Quezon City.
She said the awardees are chosen based on the recommendation of COA, whose criteria for judging include unqualified COA findings, and the accuracy and timeliness of submission of financial reports.
Aldana urged heads of agencies, local chief executives, agencies, bureaus, and departments to be “models and be the embodiment of adored and respected public servants.”
Aside from DILG, other AGAP awardees include one corporate government sector, 22 NGAs, and nine local government units.
The AGAP is an association of over 10,000 accountants, budget officers, supply officers, cashiers and all personnel belonging to the Finance Group from national government agencies, local government units, and government-owned or -controlled corporations. (PNA)
