The Department of Tourism (DoT) said it has complied with all audit requirements under government accounting, auditing and budgeting rules.

In a statement in response to recent news reports, the DoT clarified that the Commission on Audit (CoA) findings pertained to routine operational expenditures.

The figures referenced were taken from the DoT–Office of the Secretary’s Consolidated Annual Audit Report for fiscal year 2024 issued by the CoA.

“The transactions referenced cover routine operational expenditures of the DoT Central Office and selected regional offices, including Mindoro (Occidental and Oriental), Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan (Mimaropa), Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Davao Region.

These include engagements with foreign service providers for tourism-related activities, personnel-related disbursements, procurement of goods, repair and maintenance services, and travel-related reimbursements, all of which were subjected to CoA’s standard post-audit review process,” the DoT said in a statement exclusive to DAILY TRIBUNE.

DoT compliant

The DoT Central Office’s transactions with foreign service providers for which the CoA required certifications and supporting documents have since been completed.

Amounts cited on the DoT–Zamboanga Peninsula were used for the payment of salaries, wages, and other compensation, and to validate attendance, leave, and disbursement requirements, the DoT said.

“For DoT–Northern Mindanao, the audit observation related to the procurement of furniture. Verification was undertaken in coordination with the supplier to ensure that all delivered items conformed to the specifications stated in the purchase order,” the DoT explained.

Meanwhile, for DoT–Mimaropa, the DoT said the cited transactions involved documentation requirements for repair and maintenance services and travel-related reimbursements, and the required supporting documents have been completed.

“It should be noted that all expenses cited were fully accounted for, properly documented, and subjected to CoA’s standard audit process. The department has already complied with all audit requirements in accordance with government accounting, auditing, and budgeting rules,” the DoT said.

The DoT emphasized that its financial statements for Fiscal Year 2024 received an Unmodified Opinion from the Commission on Audit, indicating that the CoA found the department’s financial records to be fairly presented, accurate and compliant with applicable laws and regulations, and that all expenditures were aboveboard.

“The Department of Tourism remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the prudent use of public funds in the discharge of its mandate,” the agency reiterated.

Favorable CoA view

In September 2024, the DoT obtained the CoA’s “unmodified opinion” on its fiscal year 2023 financial performance.

The rating is given by an auditor when the financial statements of the audited entity are reported fairly and correctly, in all material respects, without qualifications or exceptions, after being subjected to scrutiny in accordance with International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions.

The DoT earned the same rating from state auditors in fiscal years 2022, 2020, 2019 and 2009.

Also, in 2023, the DoT earned a ISO 9001:2015 certification for the seventh consecutive year.

Under Executive Order 605, all departments and agencies of the executive branch, including all government-owned and controlled corporations and government financial institutions, are directed to adopt ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management Systems certifications.