The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has been hailed as one of the 2021 Outstanding Accounting Offices for its observance of the highest standard of quality in complying with stringent government rules on financial reporting, which is a huge feat as a big department handling several offices and units seldom receives the award.

DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr. thanked the Association of Government Accountants of the Philippines (AGAP) for bestowing the said award to the Department which is a testament of the DILG’s commitment to quality, timeliness, and accuracy in its finances from the Central Office down to the regional and field offices.

“Our sincere appreciation to AGAP for this award. Rest assured that the DILG will continue to promote transparent, sound and excellent fiscal management in the Department from the Central Office down to the field offices,” Abalos said.

The DILG Secretary commended Assistant Secretary for Administration, Finance and Comptrollership Ester A. Aldana and all DILG Accounting Personnel all over the country for demonstrating integrity and commitment to respond to the challenges and demands of ensuring sound and efficient fiscal management and operations within the Department.

He said this award signifies that the DILG accounting office truly embodies the Department’s core values of dedication to public service, integrity and innovativeness, leadership by example, good governance, client-focused and organizational competence and effectiveness.

“Malaki ang responsibilidad ng ating Accounting Offices dahil sa kanila nakaatang ang pagsisiguro ng masinop at maayos na paggastos ng pondo ng opisina. Dahil sa award na ito, pinatunayan ninyong kayo ay tunay na matino, mahusay at maaasahan,” he said.

In a letter from AGAP, its National President Tina Rose Marie Canda said that the DILG was chosen by the Commission on Audit (COA) as one of the awardees for its quality, timeliness, and accuracy of its 2021 financial reports.

Aldana, who received the award on behalf of DILG, said AGAP is “an institution that promotes the interest of government accountants and improves the practice of government accountancy.”

“It is gratifying, motivating, and reassuring to see all the awardees whose respective accounting offices were chosen by COA. Your collaborative efforts and resolve contributed greatly in the pursuit to come out with quality, accurate, and truthful financial reports,” she said in her opening message during the recently conducted awards rites in Quezon City.

She said the awardees are chosen based on the recommendation of COA, whose criteria for judging include unqualified COA findings, and the accuracy and timeliness of submission of financial reports.

Aside from the DILG, other AGAP awardees include one corporate government sector, 22 NGAs, and nine local government units.

AGAP is an association of over 10,000 accountants, budget officers, supply officers, cashiers and all personnel belonging to the Finance Group from national government agencies, local government units, and government-owned or -controlled corporations.

Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-bags-2021-Outstanding-Accounting-Office-Award/NC-2022-1172