State auditors laud Ilocos Norte anew for income gains

MANILA, Philippines - For the second straight year, the Commission on Audit (COA) has nothing but praises for Ilocos Norte after the so-called “Marcos country” again surpassed its 2011 income target by more than P243.9 million.

In 2010, state auditors lauded provincial officials led by Gov. Imee Marcos for generating P1.020-billion income from only P698.4 million in 2009.

In its 2011 report released recently, COA again lauded Ilocos Norte for posting P989.5 million, exceeding its estimated income of P745.6 million.

State auditors said sound financial management and utilization resulted in programs, projects, and activities that benefited majority of Ilocos Norte folk.

One of the major accomplishments of the Ilocos Norte leadership, according to COA, is the continuing development of the province as a tourism destination in the north.

Provision of miscellaneous fees for indigent students of public elementary and high schools in the province was also cited.

In the tertiary level, in addition to the province’s existing scholars enrolled in various local colleges and universities, state auditors said there are 105 indigent students enjoying scholarships at the Mariano Marcos State University under the “Iskolar ni Manang Imee” program.

State auditors also hailed the provincial government for the improvement of hospitals like the Governor Roque B. Ablan Hospital, Bangui District Hospital and Dingras District Hospital under the loan program of the Health Sector Development Program-Asian Development Bank/Municipal Development Fund Office.

Despite unliquidated cash advances of P20.5 million as of Dec. 31, 2011 and some minor issues, state auditors had nothing bad to say about Ilocos Norte.