LAGAWE, IFUGAO- – The Commission on Audit-Cordillera Administrative Region (COA-CAR) expands its list of purpose-driven infrastructure projects in the region as it unveiled recently the newly-constructed Records and Storage Building in Lagawe.
This well-designed facility represents its unwavering dedication to providing quality services that Ifugao folks can be proud of in a long time, aligned with the national government’s mission to ensuring efficiency in its operations.
The blessing and inauguration rites were witnessed by a large crowd at the building’s grounds situated at Rock Quarry of Barangay Poblacion North. This showcased features and amenities of modern-day architectural development.
The building owes the distinction as the first of its kind in the Cordilleras. The CAR is composed of the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province as well as the cities of Baguio and Tabuk.
Through this initiatives, the COA continues to engage with the people, while stirring to a make a very positive impact to Filipinos on how to live life with real purpose in life when dealing with monetary transactions with the state.
From the aging COA office in Ifugao at the then condemned building at the back of the capitol building to this new facility the COA got the much-needed facility of its image.
Indeed, it’s a big lift to the morale of the men and women of the COA out here. It is a fitting acknowledgement and appreciation of their valuable economic and social contributions to the society.
“The COA has helped many people here! They guided the work of government personnel,” Damian Aggihao Jr. told the ZigZag Weekly. He represented Vice Governor Martin Habawel Jr. in the said program.
“Our COA personnel are the guardians for good governance! They shape how our people understand the utilization of funds,” he added.
True enough, Filipinos continue to clamor for an effective tool in bringing about greater accountability and efficiency in the use of public resources.
Former board member Aezle Dumangeng and Atty. John Namingit also graced the occasion, as representatives of Governor Jerry Dalipog and Lagawe Mayor Leslie Roy Nahayangan, respectively.
Their insights easily added to the appeal to the program’s success.
Efficiency is surely the “hand-maiden” of hard work. Credit this feat to COA Regional Director Renato Rosales, Assistant Regional Director Bernard Bukilan and Jacqueline Dulinayan, supervising auditor of the provincial satellite auditing office (PSAO).
Corruption has been institutionalized in several local government units. It only eroded efforts to curb the mounting poverty problem in Ifugao.
Looking back, pervasive corruption has been ingrained before the flood control scandal involving former Rep. Zaldy Co and his ilk jolted the citizen’s senses. More often than not, it is tolerated and even justified by stupid Ifugao folks.
Public accountability will be strengthened through the continuous collaboration with the private sector. It’s not enough just to say you have a cell phone. Reporting incidences of corruption can make a difference.
It is paramount to make sure that public officials maintain their respectability by performing their mandated functions at all times.
Honesty in audit work shall boost productivity, efficiency, effectivity and innovation.
Tarnished reputation of politicians who amass wealth by community corrupt practices provide to a glaring need to educate voters prior to the 2028 polls.
To deepen the impact of this endeavor, Fr. Noel Bantiyan celebrated the mass. **By Anthony A. Araos
