Quezon City government receives highest ever COA rating

MANILA, Philippines — For the first time in history, the Quezon City government has earned an “unqualified opinion” from the Commission on Audit (COA) for its annual audit report for the year 2020.

The unqualified opinion is the highest audit opinion that COA can render to a government agency, including a local government unit.

Mayor Joy Belmonte said that this recognition is a testament of her vision of good governance. She also expressed deep gratitude to COA and the offices under the local government unit for achieving this highest standard in audit despite being in the middle of a pandemic.

“This is the most important recognition that a local government unit like us can get. This is our vision of good governance for Quezon City and this is a great start since we received this in our first term,” Belmonte said.

“Despite the pandemic, QCitizens are assured that the finances of the city are properly used for services, programs and projects for the benefit of all. This is really historic,” she added.

COA resident auditor for Quezon City Rex Quieta handed over the annual audit report during the flag-raising ceremony yesterday. He shared that Quezon City has complied with the standards of the government’s auditing firm.

“This is important because it signifies that the financial records and financial statements of Quezon City comply with the high standards, rules and regulations,” Quieta said.

Under the Belmonte administration, the Quezon City government has implemented measures toward improving the transparency and efficiency of its services.

Belmonte’s first executive order after assuming office created the Internal Audit Service (IAS) to ensure that assets and resources are properly and transparently accounted for.

IAS is tasked to advise the mayor on matters relating to management control and operations audit; conduct compliance, management and operations audit; review and appraise systems and procedures, organizational structures, asset management practices, financial and management records, reports and performance standards of the executive department; and analyze and evaluate management deficiencies and assist top management by recommending realistic courses of action, among others.

The local government also established a business-one-stop shop (BOSS) where business applications, permits, licenses and payments required for every business owner are now located in one area which streamlines the process, removes red tape and lessens processing time.

Likewise, processes were digitized, including application for business permits, building permits and even a registry system for jobs and employment.

“Thank you to everyone involved in this achievement and may this inspire us to sustain the standards of good governance in the city in the next years or so,” Belmonte said.