“This gathering, more than the blessing and inauguration of this annex building, lies the celebration of the strong bond and harmonious relationship between COA [Commission on Audit] and its auditees; to uplift and help each other achieve the respective offices’ goals and aspirations, all for substantial development for the country.”

Thus, said COA Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) Regional Director Lynflor M. Adolfo in her welcome address during the inauguration of the Provincial Satellite Auditing Office (PSAO) Annex Building in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, on November 3, 2022.

The PSAO Palawan Annex Building, like other PSAO buildings, is a product of a collaboration between the auditee and the auditor – with the Puerto Princesa City Government granting land to the COA for the construction of the PSAO Palawan and its annex building.

COA Acting Chairperson Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc said that the PSAO Palawan Annex Building is significant as it brings to life the idea of government agencies working in collaboration for the nation’s common good and it is also a tangible evidence of COA’s independence and integrity.

Situated at the heart of the national government center and nature park for Puerto Princesa City, the PSAO Palawan Annex Building will serve as a records building in COA Palawan.

“Rest assured that the PSAO Palawan Annex Building will be the starting point of good records management in this paradise-island, where documents with vital historical, fiscal, and legal value will be preserved and kept safe,” said Director Adolfo, adding that the COA should put premium on good records management since audits are based predominantly on documents/records.

For her part, Assistant Commissioner Maribeth F. De Jesus of the COA Systems and Technical Services Sector (STSS), echoed Regional Director Adolfo’s view that COA should have a good records management system – from storage, retrieval, and to the disposal of documents and records which are considered the lifeblood of audits, adding that the construction of a records building is in keeping with the custodial function of the Commission.

Commissioner Pondoc and Director Adolfo led the ribbon-cutting ceremony and the unveiling of the building marker, with the participation of Assistant Commissioner De Jesus, COA General Services Office (GSO) Director Amelia P. Valdez, and COA Palawan Supervising Auditor Norma S. Racelis. Palawan Governor Victorino Dennis M. Socrates and Puerto Princesa City Legal Officer Norman Brian P. Yap also participated in the ceremony.

Former COA Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) Regional Director Corazon S. Gomez and officials and personnel of COA Region IV-B (MIMAROPA), were among the 70 event attendees, along with representatives from the offices of Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc, the STSS, the GSO, and the COA Public Information Office, and representatives from the building contractor JB & Sons Construction.

The inauguration of the Palawan PSAO Annex Building commenced with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist by Reverend Father Juan Felipe P. Torrecampo, which was followed by the blessing of the building and its premises by.

The two-storey PSAO Palawan Annex Building, which has a total floor area of 360 square meters, is the third PSAO building inaugurated by COA in Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) this year. # Report by Ms. Aubrey A. Cuya