Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto receive the annual audit rating report from the Commission on Audit-QC resident auditor, Joseph Perez.
MANILA, Philippines — In a continued display of exemplary fiscal management, Quezon City has once again achieved the highest accolade from the Commission on Audit (COA).
For the fourth consecutive time, the city has been lauded for its meticulous handling of finances and adherence to stringent audit standards, cementing its reputation as a paragon of transparency and accountability in local governance.
“Our fourth unqualified opinion award from COA is clear evidence of our successful campaign and vision for a corruption-free administration and good governance. We must congratulate all our citizens for helping us – their public servants – in achieving this milestone” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
“Unqualified opinion” is the highest audit rating that the COA can give to a government agency including a local government unit.
Quezon City resident auditor Joseph Perez handed the annual audit report for fiscal year 2023 to Belmonte and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto. The report cited that all financial records and documents submitted by the city comply with the high standards, rules and regulations of COA.
In 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 , the QC-LGU was awarded its first highest audit rating from COA, a historic first in the city’s history.
READ: COA cites QC LGU for honest handling of funds, good governance
Belmonte called this as “a great start in her first term” and implemented measures toward improving transparency and efficiency of its services.
Belmonte’s first executive order then after assuming office created the Internal Audit Service to ensure that assets and resources are properly and transparently accounted for. Thereafter, COA gave a second “unqualified opinion award in 2021, a third in 2022 and now a fourth for 2023.
Congratulatory messages from QCitizens swarmed the QC website, applauding the clean, honest, pro-active and consistent public service of Belmonte and her fellow city officials.
Dora Rabaya said, “hats off, QC Mayor Belmonte, well deserved commendations from COA, the unqualified opinion in four consecutive years for a very appropriate use of public funds, keep it up, Mayor.”
Lindo Romerosaid, “congrats Mayor Joy for being a good leader in public service and good governance with the unqualified opinion from COA.”
Dorothy Pascual said, “proud QCitizen here. Congrats to our city, congrats to our outstanding leaders, congrats Quezon City.”
For her part, Belmonte shared that this fourth unqualified opinion award is a testament of her vision of good governance for Quezon City.
“Truly a seal of excellence and transparency in the local government’s financial management,” the mayor added.