COA pushes for a more effective use of Disaster Funds
Quezon City, 15 August 2014 – The Commission on Audit improves transparency and accountability on the use of disaster funds by launching the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Accounting and Reporting Guidelines to all government agencies in line with its constitutionally mandated duty of promulgating accounting and auditing rules and regulations. The launch of the DRRM Accounting and Reporting Guidelines was spearheaded by COA Chairperson Maria Gracia Pulido Tan and Commissioner Heidi Mendoza with support from the Australian Government.
The set of guidelines formulated by COA establishes the proper decorum on the receipt and utilization of DRRM funds. The guidelines, benchmarked against the International Standards for Supreme Audit, “will ensure that all disaster-related funds and donations are properly accounted for and that DRRM funds are properly utilized for the purpose,” said Chairperson Tan.
“The Guidelines, developed with support from the Australian Government, will fill in the dearth of knowledge and experience on disaster aid audit, which thus far has not been accorded equal attention. No other similar initiative has been undertaken” Chairperson Tan underscored.
The need to come up with the guidelines had risen after a series of catastrophes, the most recent being the devastating typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), when auditors face the challenge of protecting disaster funds without impeding rapid response and recovery assistance. There was also an increase call from the general public for transparency on the use of government funds and donor contributions for Typhoon Haiyan.
“The use of the Disaster Accounting Guidelines will provide the Filipino people with confidence in how disaster funds are allocated, utilised, and accounted for,” said Ambassador Tweddell during the launch. “The issuance of the Guidelines aligns well with Australia’s new aid policy which calls for more efficiency and effectiveness of aid initiatives by enhancing accountability and putting strong emphasis on results and value-for-money.”
A total of 120 participants, other development partners, key officials of national government agencies involved in disaster risk reduction and management, are also present to witness the event. An Executive Briefing follows in the afternoon showcasing a synopsis of the accounting guidelines.ENDS
Contact:
Director Jonathan B. Beltran
Public Information Office
Commission on Audit, Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City
(+63 2) 951‐0934 / 951‐6955
[email protected]
Jing Damaso, Public Affairs Officer
Australian Embassy
Level 23 Tower 2 RCBC Plaza
6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City
T: (+63 918) 9446324/ (+63 2) 757 8132
[email protected]