Instead of taking offense at the recent reports of the Commission on Audit (COA), government agencies should just respond and address questions on the flagged funding and projects, Vice President Leni Robredo said Friday.
Robredo said that COA was just doing its job when it released its annual report flagging programs and spending of several agencies.
“Hindi natin dapat minamasama ‘yung mga reports na ‘to. In fact, binibigyan pa nga tayo ng opportunity na sumagot, na magpaliwanag, na maging mas transparent sa systems and processes natin,” Robredo said in a statement.
“So when these reports and audits come—we must respond. Kasi we owe it hindi lang sa COA, pero mas importante, sa taumbayan,” she added.
Among the agencies flagged by COA was the Department of Health (DOH) after their report found deficiencies in the handling of the P67.3 billion COVID-19 funds of the health department.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque said that they were not given time to respond to the COA report as he accused the auditing agency of ruining the honor of the DOH.
“Kung ang trabaho ng COA, ilatag ang mga audit reports para siguruhing walang halagang napupunta sa ‘di dapat kalagyan, ang tungkuling hinihingi naman sa government agencies: Ang magpaliwanag, ang tumugon, at bigyang-linaw ang mga tanong; na siguruhing sa lahat ng mga proyektong ginagawa natin, nagugugol ang resources sa tamang paraan,” Robredo said.
“Kaisa ako sa pag-encourage sa ating auditors na ipagpatuloy ang mabuting trabaho, kasabay ang paalala na may dahilan kung bakit may mga proseso tayong sinusunod—at katuwang natin ang COA para maipatupad ‘yung tunay na mabuting pamamahala,” she added.
Back in June, the office of Vice President Leni Robredo received the highest audit rating from COA for the third consecutive year.
