Tuguegarao City–The Commission on Audit (COA) on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, conducted an exit conference with DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 02 (DA-BFAR R02) to discuss its annual audit report for the FY 2022.

The COA team was led by Regional Supervising Auditor Carlos Rosales and joined by Audit Team Leader Emerlinda Mabunga and State Auditors Elvis Byron B. Columna and Mary Jane B. Cadduan.

The DA-BFAR R02 received a generally positive review. The COA Team reported that the bureau consistently complied with the AOM recommendations and that financial statements are fairly and appropriately presented, and in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles.

RD Angel B. Encarnacion expressed his gratitude to the COA team for their continued guidance, especially on matters that are vague to the management. “Despite the challenging times brought by the pandemic, the office is grateful for the audit team’s effort in keeping our commitment for transparency, accountability and disciplined fiscal managers. The challenge remains as DA-BFAR RO2 moves onward to FY 2023 with the expectation of facing the challenges with resilient commitment and strong fortitude,” he added.

Dr. Emma L Ballad, OIC Finance and Administrative Section also thanked the team and assured them of the usual timely submission of financial documents and the correctness, accuracy, and reliability of the same in the succeeding years. She further said that the office shall closely coordinate with COA in the conduct of its audit and has requested further its continued guidance.

The conference was also attended by FPSSD Chief Atty Ronaldo Libunao, FMRED Chief Atty Arsenio Banares, Legal Officer Atty Roderick Revillosa, Accountant Heidi Pascua, Budget Officer Ma. Visitacion Llanto, Planning Officer Cheyserr Garcia, Internal Control Unit In-charge Potenciana Anog, Cashier Corazon Hipolito, Supply Officer Brainard Liwanag, and other finance and administrative staff of the DA-BFAR RO2.

Conducted annually, the exit conference is the meeting at the end of an audit engagement where the auditors and client meet to discuss the findings of the audit and the recommendations in the report (ORD-Rogie Langcay)