The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) emphasized its fiscal diligence on Modnay, Aug. 16 amid what an official described as "selective" news reporting of the Commission on Audit's (COA) 2020 audit report on the agency.

DOLE-Information and Publication Service (IPS) Director Rolly Francia said that the department has achieved an "unqualified" opinion from COA--the highest audit rating possible--based on its 2020 audit report.

He said that this was in fact DOLE's second unqualified opinion in a row, dating back to COA's 2019 audit report.

"This is the second year in a row that we are having this unqualified opinion attesting to the fact that we are very diligent in observing rules and regulations pertinent to auditing and budgeting practices," Francia said during a virtual press briefing.

A significant portion of DOLE's funds last year were distributed as emergency cash aid or "ayuda" worth P5,000 to P10,000 for workers who have been displaced by the persisting coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

The agency's programs that were either created or rejigged to respond to workers' needs during the COVID crisis include the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP), Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers Barangay ko, Bahay ko (TUPAD-BKBK), and Abot-Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP).

During the presser, Francia could not help but take a jab against the people who allegedly chose to highlight portions of the 2020 audit that depicted DOLE in a bad light despite the unqualified opinion.

"Tutal pinili lang naman 'yung ire-report ng ibang ulat hinggil sa performance sa usapin ng pondo ng , eh di hayaan niyong piliin ko din naman 'yung ilang portion na pabor sa departamento (Since the news reports merely selected which part they would report regarding DOLE's budgetary performance, then let me also select portions that are favorable to the department)," he said.

Francia then went on to read the portion of the 2020 audit report that says, ""We commended the department for the unconditional efforts in implementing the programs, projects, and activities under its mandated functions despite the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic to contribute to the government’s agenda of inclusive growth through massive job generation and poverty reduction." The glowing passage, he said, was in reference to DOLE's implementation of TUPAD, CAMP, and AKAP.

"Of course this is among the basis for unqualified opinion of the COA," Francia stressed.

In a subsequent statement sent to reporters, DOLE said that "issues on the alleged excessive payments, denied claims and unclaimed assistance, were already addressed initially by the DOLE by way of management comments."

"The DOLE has responded and complied with the COA observations and recommendations. It will also submit updated compliance report within sixty (60) days from receipt of the COA Report last 29 July 2021," it added.

"Again, we stress that the DOLE is adherent to pertinent rules and regulations on fiscal matters," the statement concluded.