The local government of Malabon City has received recognition from the Commission on Audit (COA) for its transparent and effective utilization of public funds.
The recognition was based on the Annual Audit Report for the year 2023, the local government announced on Tuesday, June 18.
With this achievement, the city administration has pledged to maintain transparent and efficient allocation of public funds in the implementation of programs that benefit the city residents.
“Ito ay patunay ng patuloy na pagbibigay ng tapat na serbisyo ng pamahalaang lungsod, sa pamumuno ni Mayor Jeannie Sandoval para sa ating mga mahal na Malabueño. Ang qualified opinion na sa atin ay ibinigay ng COA ay sumisimbulo sa ating pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan na masigurong ang ating mga programa ay naaayon sa pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan tungo sa pag-ahon ng ating lungsod (This is a testament to the continued provision of honest service by the city government, under the leadership of Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, for our beloved Malabueños. The qualified opinion given to us by the COA symbolizes our unity and cooperation in ensuring that our programs meet the needs of the citizens, driving the progress of our city),” City Administrator Dr. Alexander Rosete said.
“Sisiguruhin po natin ang tama, maayos, at tapat na pamamahala ng pondo ng pamahalaang lungsod na nakalaan para mismo sa ating mga residente. Makakaasa po kayo na ating ipagpapatuloy at mas pagbubutihin pa ang pagbuo ng mga programa na tutulong upang mas mapabuti ang buhay ng bawat Malabueño (We will ensure the proper, orderly, and honest management of the city government funds allocated for our residents. Rest assured that we will continue and even improve the development of programs that will help uplift the living condition of every Malabueño),” he added.
The audit was made by Commission on Audit-National Capital Region-Local Government Agencies (COA NCR-LGAS) Regional Director Maria Carmina Paulita Jugulion Pagawayan.
The local government was commended for its exemplary use of funds, maintaining the highest standards of accountability and transparency in service delivery.
According to COA, the auditor who conducted the annual audit gave a qualified opinion to the Malabon City government.
The city’s initiatives, such as the Malabon Ahon Blue Card (MABC) and housing projects like St. Gregory Homes, aim to improve the quality of life and ensure the efficient delivery of assistance to the residents.
Meanwhile, the city’s public information office said that as of May 28, the city government has distributed a total of 83,891 MABC to the heads of families in the city.
It was launched in December 2022 and it is one of the flagship programs of Sandoval aimed at enhancing the provision of cash aid to the residents.
In addition, the MABC program was recognized as a finalist in the Development Academy of the Philippines’ Government Best Practice Recognition in 2023 which highlighted the outstanding and innovative practices demonstrated by the local government units (LGU) or the public sector organizations.
There were 77,055 MABC holders who have claimed their “first ayuda for 2024.”
Additionally, around 516 families, who previously resided near the waterways in the city, have been relocated to the St. Gregory Homes.
Sandoval was recognized as a top-performing mayor in NCR after getting 88.7 percent job performance rating in the “Boses ng Bayan” survey from March 28 to 24.
The city government received the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in 2023 for its successful implementation of various programs.
The Malabon City government also received commendations for its efforts to make services more accessible and transparent.