COA scraps pre-audit requirement

The Commission on Audit (COA) lifted its pre-audit requirement on government transactions.

“However, whenever circumstances warrant…. this Commission may reconstitute pre-audit or adopt such other control measures,” said a July 11, 2011 COA circular signed by chairperson Ma. Gracia Pulido Tan.

Tan said that while COA is mandated by the constitution to conduct pre-audit, “subsequent developments… have shown the heightened vigilance by government agencies in safeguarding their resources.”

With the lifting of the pre-audit requirement, advices from the city accountant are immediately sent to the city treasurer for the issuance of checks, said Cebu City Councilor Jose Daluz III.

Emma Villarete of the cash disbursement section of the City Treasurer’s Office earlier said COA’s pre-audit requirement was a cause of delay in the release of salaries to City Hall’s summer workers.