CHEd receives second consecutive highest audit rating from COA

Commission on Higher Education facade. NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) has received an “unqualified opinion” from the Commission on Audit (COA) for the second year in a row.

CHEd Chair Prospero de Vera III on Tuesday said it is a reflection of the agency’s continued accountability and transparency reforms. The agency also received the highest audit rating in 2022.

“In 2023, we continued to implement reforms, including increasing our disbursement rate and complying with the shift to cash-based budgeting. We also closely monitored and improved the practices of our regional offices that continue to have audit observations,” he added.

The unqualified opinion, also known as an unmodified opinion, is a rating given by the COA to a government agency after concluding that its financial statements are prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework.

The CHEd has also enhanced its documentation and account reporting systems from higher education institutions by clearing all their unliquidated funds before applying for project grants.

READ: CHEd approves Mapua’s transnational higher education programs 

Last July 2, CHEd approved the first transnational higher education programs of Mapua University and Arizona University.

Students can earn double degrees in four years or gain guaranteed advanced entry to Arizona University’s master’s programs through these THNE programs. — Felice Nafarrete, INQUIRER.net intern