For the second straight year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has received the highest audit rating possible from the Commission on Audit (COA), Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat announced.
In a statement on Monday, August 2, Puyat said the DOT received from COA an "unqualified opinion" over its financial statements for the fiscal year 2020.
Last year, COA also gave the department an "unqualified opinion" for its financial statements on December 31, 2019. Prior to this, Puyat said the last time the DOT received the highest audit rating was back in 2009.
Puyat said that such rating is given by an auditor when the financial statements of the audited entity are reported fairly and correctly, in all material aspects without qualifications and exceptions. This, after the statements were subjected to scrutiny in accordance with International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions.
The DOT chief said the state auditor's rating "proves the hard work of the agency's men and women" after a thorough "house cleaning" which was among her directives when she assumed the position in 2018.
"Since 2018, it was of paramount importance for the DOT to strictly comply with the laws, rules, and regulations to ensure utmost accountability and transparency in our operations; particularly in the management of our limited financial resources," Puyat said.
“We did everything fairly and in accordance with the laws, rules and regulations,” the tourism secretary said.
Puyat likewise dedicated the milestone to all employees of the agency, adding that the achievement is also a challenge for them to continue doing good.
"May we continue serving this country with utmost dedication to public service that is clean and untainted," she added.