COA Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc, Director Amelia P. Valdez, Regional Director Felix M. Basallaje, Jr., Assistant Regional Director Arnel T. Jaranilla with Governor Carlos Jerico “Icot” L. Petilla and Mayor Remedios L. Petilla lead the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Provincial Satellite Auditing Office in Palo, Leyte.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Commission on Audit (COA) Provincial Satellite Auditing Office (PSAO) in Palo, Leyte was held on 27 March 2023. Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc, Director Amelia P. Valdez of the General Services Office, COA Region VIII Regional Director Felix M. Basallaje, Jr., Assistant Regional Director Arnel T. Jaranilla, Leyte Governor Carlos Jerico “Icot” L. Petilla and Palo Municipal Mayor Remedios “Matin” L. Petilla led the ceremony. COA Region VIII officials and personnel as well as representatives from the COA Central Office also attended the event.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Pondoc, Director Valdez, Regional Director Basallaje, Jr., Assistant Regional Director Jaranilla, Baybay City Mayor Jose Carlos L. Cari and Vice Mayor Ernesto C. Butawan led the ceremonial ribbon-cutting and unveiling of the plaque to mark the inauguration of the new PSAO building in Baybay, Leyte on 28 March 2023. The event was also attended by the Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Baybay City, COA Region VIII officials and personnel, and representatives from the COA Central Office.

COA Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc, Director Amelia P. Valdez, Regional Director Felix M. Basallaje, Jr., Assistant Regional Director Arnel T. Jaranilla with Governor Carlos Jerico “Icot” L. Petilla and Mayor Remedios L. Petilla lead the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Provincial Satellite Auditing Office in Palo, Leyte.
COA Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc, Director Amelia P. Valdez, Regional Director Felix M. Basallaje, Jr., Assistant Regional Director Arnel T. Jaranilla with Mayor Jose Carlos L. Cari and Vice Mayor Ernesto M. Butawan inaugurate the new Provincial Satellite Auditing Office in Baybay City, Leyte.

Commissioner Pondoc conveyed the Commission’s gratitude to the Province of Leyte and the Local Governments of Palo and Baybay City for their full support in the undertakings of the Commission. He also recognized fellow employees of COA Regional Office No. VIII for being the Commission’s representative in providing exceptional public service in government audit within the Eastern Visayas region.

Governor Petilla and Mayor Petilla also extended their congratulations to COA and expressed thanks that COA is looking for more ways to make auditing efficient and pro-people. While Mayor Cari, on behalf of the City Government of Baybay, extended his congratulations to COA and remarked that he is proud that Baybay City is home to a COA PSAO.

The construction of PSAOs is a way to signify COA’s independence as an audit institution and help the Commission fulfill its role as an enabling partner of the government in the effective and efficient delivery of public services.

Fr. Michael Kirby A. Lauro officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for PSAO Palo, Leyte while Rev. Fr. John Clyde Avelino officiated in the inaugural ceremony for the PSAO Baybay City. # – contributed by Regina D. Ayaso