Initial COA report on Yolanda donations out in 2 months

MANILA, Philippines - The initial report on the use of funds and donations for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda will be out within the next two months, the Commission on Audit (COA) said over the weekend.

COA chairman Ma. Gracia Pulido-Tan said the audit findings are already under review, noting that it took them some time to come out with the report as the audit covered several agencies.

Pulido-Tan said these agencies include the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the National Housing Authority, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of Transportation and Communications, among others.

The audit report, she said, would look into the participation of these agencies in the delivery of assistance for typhoon victims.

Last Friday, Pulido-Tan led the launching of a new and improved COA website, which aims to enhance transparency and accountability in government.

The website, she said, would open COA’s work for public scrutiny and appreciation.

She described the new website (www.coa.gov.ph) as the “inroad of the public to COA.”

With a more interactive and easier to navigate webpage, Pulido-Tan said the COA wants to show everyone that there are no secrets in the institution.

The COA chief expressed hopes the new COA website would encourage healthier public debate and empower public opinion.

The website was designed based on the Integrated Government Philippines project of the Department of Science and Technology.

It is part of COA’s commitment to strengthen its relationship with its stakeholders and to increase transparency and accountability in government.

“It is my personal advocacy to make COA a more transparent agency by making the features of our website easier for the public to navigate.

We commit to timely and up-to-date posting of reports, news and other COA documents,” she said.

The new website integrates a Legal Information Archive, a digital repository of COA issuances, resolutions, decisions and other key legislation and jurisprudence affecting the commission, accountability for public funds, and auditing and accounting regulations.