COA Strengthens Accountability in PH gov’t, Release New Standards on Internal Audit, Internal Control

To help government agencies strengthen accountability and boost effectiveness and efficiency, the Commission on Audit (COA) developed the Internal Auditing Standards for the Philippine Public Sector (IASPPS) with Philippine Application Guidelines (PAG) and the Internal Control Standards for the Philippine Public Sector (ICSPPS). The standards were officially released on April 12, 2018, at the COA Old SAADO Auditorium.

Developed by COA’s Internal Auditing Research and Development Committee, the standards are based on acknowledged benchmarks of international good practices in internal auditing while, at the same time, take into account the current situation of the Philippine Public sector.  It is upon this guidance that the practice of internal auditing and internal control systems adopted by the agencies shall be evaluated.

“The IASPPS and ICSPPS should help government officers and employees understand and implement the requirements of the standards, and formulate their own internal auditing procedures and internal control procedures that are customized to the specific circumstances and characteristics of their operations. COA will leave it to the agencies to customize their own internal control system and hopefully have their own internal audit service,” COA Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo said.

Chairperson Aguinaldo noted that the 1987 Constitution bestows upon the Commission the exclusive authority to promulgate auditing rules and regulations and to adopt measures to correct deficiencies if the internal control system of an audited agency is inadequate. The Chairperson added that providing these standards does not mean that COA will take over the internal control system of the agencies but the evaluation will serve as basis for making recommendations.

“These standards are the culmination of years of hard work of the Commission on Audit. Today, we are witnessing the birth of the standards that will serve as vehicles to prevent corruption in the government,” Commissioner Jose A. Fabia said.

The IASPPS provides general guidance on the basic framework of internal auditing. It comprises two main categories: the Attribute Standards which address the necessary characteristics and traits of agencies and individuals performing internal auditing; and the Performance Standards which describe the nature of internal auditing services and provide quality criteria against which the delivery of these services can be measured. On the other hand, the ICSPPS provides guidance on basic framework integrated with the essential management process of planning, executing, and monitoring.

Present at the launch were expert internal auditors and government officials including Ms. Josie Jane C. Ablir and Mr. Michael L. Gapuz from the Association of Government Internal Auditors Inc.; Mr. Joseph Ian M. Canlas, Mr. Michael C. Gallego, and Ms. Edna G. De Leon from the Institute of Internal Auditors-Philippines; Ms. Luisa Notario from the Department of Finance; Atty. Jay R. Vargas from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Mr. Ric G. Enriquez from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (COA)