COA SHORT ON FIELD AUDITORS
Cendaña said auditors serve as a key line of defense against corruption, particularly in light of the alleged anomalies.
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Cendaña said auditors serve as a key line of defense against corruption, particularly in light of the alleged anomalies.
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The Commission on Audit (CoA) said Tuesday it continues to face challenges in hiring field auditors as applicants seek higher pay, flexible work arrangements and jobs closer to their homes.
CoA Assistant Commissioner Lorna Cabochan said part of the agency’s staffing shortage stemmed from the approval of its Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern in 2020, which resulted in the removal of 716 positions.
While the position cuts have since been addressed, Cabochan said the Department of Budget and Management restored 332 positions in July, particularly in Region 3 and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Despite the restoration, CoA still faces a significant personnel shortage.
Akbayan Partylist Rep. Perci Cendaña described the situation as alarming, particularly with the proposed P107 billion allocation for flood control projects in the 2027 national budget.
Cendaña said auditors serve as a key line of defense against corruption, particularly in light of the alleged anomalies involving flood control projects.
He also questioned the lack of capital outlay funding for CoA, which he said was needed to provide the agency with sufficient equipment and infrastructure.
CoA Commissioner Douglas Michael Mallillin said the agency was addressing its manpower constraints by training personnel in data analytics and other digital skills as it transitions from traditional paper-based auditing.
“This is our way now, because our traditional audit was done through paper. With the present technology that we have, we are looking at all the ways for them to use all applications,” Mallillin said.
The agency has also adopted geo-tagging, which Mallillin said could help auditors monitor infrastructure projects and verify their locations.
“We have plenty of programs inside CoA. What we are focusing on is the knowledge of the people to upskill them. Since we have insufficient personnel and since most of them are leaving, we take a look at technology as a response,” he said.
Mallillin urged Congress to provide funding for CoA’s capital outlay to improve its auditing capabilities.
