Last 29 April 2010, the Government Procurement Policy Board and the Commission on Audit COA), in cooperation with World Bank, held a Workshop on the Audit of Procurement at the Eugenio Lopez Center in Antipolo City. The workshop aims to introduce the Procurement Audit Guide to the participants, have a better understanding of the concerns in the audit of procurement, and propose solutions to address these concerns and further improve and strengthen the Procurement Audit Guide of COA.

COA Assistant Commissioner Arcadio B. Cuenco Jr. provided the participants with an overview of the Procurement Audit Guide and discussed the objectives, scope, and steps in using it. Thereafter, the participants were divided into six groups for a break-out session where they are expected to specify their concerns in the audit of procurement transactions, propose solutions therefor, and identify focal agencies in charge of implementing the proposed solutions.

The top six concerns identified by the participants include: (i) numerous documentary requirements, (ii) issue on the competence of the auditors, (iii) differing interpretations of the rules, (iv) weak linkage between budget and procurement, (v) problematic IRR provisions, and (vi) the measurement of procurement efficiency. In addressing these concerns, the participants recommended, further and continuous trainings for COA auditors, harmonization of procurement and audit rules, development of a price monitoring system, and streamlining of the COA documentary requirements. Most of the proposed solutions tagged COA and GPPB as the focal agencies to implement the suggestions. The results of the workshop will be consolidated and reviewed by the COA in order to improve the Procurement Audit Guide.

Mr. Samuel Haileselassie of World Bank delivered the Opening Remarks and Dir. Ireneo Vizmonte of the Department of Trade and Industry provided the Closing Remarks.  Mr. Juanito Gomez III, World Bank consultant for the project, and representatives from Government Procurement Policy Board-Technical Support Office, Philippine Anti-Graft Commission, and COA facilitated the break-out sessions and provided general administrative support during the workshop. A total of 70 participants from various National Government Agencies representing Budget, Accounting, Internal Audit, Bids and Awards Committee, Technical Working Group, and BAC Secretariat offices attended the workshop.