LUNA, Apayao – Commission on Audit Cordillera Director Joseph Anacay got a positive response from Luna Mayor Josephine Bangsil for the request of an additional 1500 square meters lot for the proposed Provincial Satellite Auditing Office (PSAO) to rise at Payanan, San Gregorio here.
Director Anacay and other COA regional officials met recently with Mayor Bangsil and made a personal follow up concerning the proposed Apayao PSAO. In response to the need of additional lot, Mayor assured the allocation of another 1500 square meters lot adjacent to the previously apportioned lot. If granted, the total land area would already be 3,000 square meters.
According to Director Anacay, they will undertake the necessary steps to beat the deadline on December 2017 as long as the provision of the said additional lot will be processed soon. With the assurance of Mayor Bangsil, Director Anacay is hopeful for the immediate action of the Sangguniang Bayan of Luna in favor of COA.
Mayor Bangsil said they will just be waiting for the written request coming from the office of the regional director before the Sangguniang Bayan of Luna can act and/or enact resolution for the appropriation of the needed lot in favor of COA.
Apayao Supervising Auditor Nida Salayug said there is about 17M approved fund for Apayao PSAO. However, failure to use the allocated amount due to non-availability or shortage of space for the construction of PSAO building will revert back the said funds.
“If we cannot catch up the deadline which is at the end of this year, then there is a need again for us to request fund allocation in the central office for the construction of PSAO here in Apayao,” Salayug stressed.
According to Salayug, the establishment of PSAO here will provide better services not only to the people of Apayao or the clients but also to the officials/employees of COA considering that there are three (3) separate auditing teams in the province stationed at the Municipalities of Luna, Calanasan and Pudtol.
“If there will be PSAO here, supervising in my part is faster and more effective. It also provides efficient service to the officials which include barangay treasurers. If we have our own PSAO, we can conduct trainings for them in financial management,” Salayug added.
During their courtesy call, Provincial Administrator Vincent Talattag together with the other Provincial Officials of Apayao acknowledged the efforts of Dir. Anacay and party in visiting the province. The Provincial Government of Apayao assures their full support to the programs of the COA.
Kalinga is the only province in Cordillera Administrative Region which has PSAO. The goal of COA is to establish PSAO in every province in the country. COA with the aide of the Municipal Government of Luna desires that the Province of Apayao will be the second province to have PSAO in the Cordilleras.
By GERRIAHZON S. SEBASTIAN
