Ilocos Norte

Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc lauded the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte's (PGIN) Local Finance Committee (LFC) after earning the highest degree of audit opinion for 2020 from the Commission on Audit (CoA).

PGIN's LFC is composed of the Provincial Treasurer's Office under the helm of Mrs. Josephine Calajate, and the Provincial Accounting Office, Provincial Budget Office, and Provincial Planning and Development Office headed by Mrs. Mercedes Ramos, Mrs. Evangeline Tabulog, and Engr. Pedro Agcaoili, respectively.

According to CoA Region I Director Chito C. Janaban, the Commission rendered an unmodified opinion on "the fairness of presentation of financial statements" of PGIN.

An unmodified opinion is made by an auditor when financial statements are prepared, in all material respects, following International Public Sector Accounting Standards as well as applicable regulations.

Moreover, CoA has declared that only a few local government units (LGUs) in the country have been accorded with such audit rating and the Commission likewise regards this as "historic" for Ilocos Norte.

"This CoA audit opinion, that was the first time ever of PGIN to receive an unmodified opinion which is the highest opinion that CoA gives to LGUs. They said historic po ito," Gov. Marcos Manotoc remarked.

"I really just would like to thank and congratulate the LFC. You know, they have done all the hard work. Actually now with COVID-19, nagkaproblema pa tayo, they've really put in the extra work and overtime. Saludo po kami sa LFC namin," he added.

Moreover, PGIN was commended for its prompt action in addressing audit findings and recommendations. Furthermore, the audit opinion has ascertained the accuracy of financial records and reports, as well as the fairness of the presentation of financial statements.

"I always tell our team to consider PGIN money as if it is your money. We never waste our resources, we make sure that everything is maximized," Gov. Marcos Manotoc ended.