THE Navotas City government has turned out to be distinct among all other local government units in Metro Manila following the highest findings the Commission on Audit gave to the former regarding its financial statements.
The ‘unqualified opinion’ given recently by COA to the city government under the stewardship of Mayor John Rey Tiangco, was the best possible audit outcome a government office or agency can get, says Ms. Irish Cubillan, the city’s public information officer.
She says that out of the 17 LGUs in the National Capital Region, only Navotas was given such distinction by the COA after the latter’s audit of the financial statements presented by the local government.
Asked about such findings, a COA officer, who opted to talk on condition of anonymity since she was not privy to the audit process, said Navotas got no errors in the financial statements it presented and though there could be minor ones but they are immaterial and can be immediately acted upon.
Mayor Tiangco says: “We are honored and proud to receive an unqualified opinion from COA. This validates the city government’s efforts to be transparent in its financial operations and position,”
He adds: “We will double our efforts to serve our constituents more effectively and efficiently, and to realize our shared vision of an improved quality of life for all Navoteños.”
COA’s unqualified opinion is crucial for LGUs to secure the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s criteria of Good Financial Housekeeping, a component of the Seal of Good Governance.
MALAPITAN ALL PRAISES FOR COPS ON ANTI-ILLEGAL DRUGS WAR
Caloocan City Mayor Oca Malapitan was all praises for the members of the local police, particularly those from the anti-narcotics unit over the series of accomplishments in connection with the local government’s battle against illegal drugs.
Just recently, the mayor was visibly-elated over the lawmen’s quick action on the former’s tip about a notorious drug pusher, who was later arrested and identified as Gasanara Baranbangan, 63, of Tala, Barangay 183, and seizure of more than P.3-million worth of shabu.
Hailed also was their chief, Senior Supt. Johnson Almazan and his deputy for administration, Supt. Ferdie del Rosario, for their leadership that resulted in the arrest of several drug personalities.
Earlier, the Caloocan police arrested one Raymart Salonga, 22, of Barangay 176, during a similar sting operation in Bagong Silang.
The anti-narcotics agents were able to confiscate from Salonga five grams of shabu and the P1,000 marked money used in the anti-illegal drugs operation as he pointed to Baranbangan as his source of shabu which prompted the police to conduct a drug operation against him.
Mayor Malapitan was likewise gratified by the cooperation being shown by the residents in their campaign against illegal substance. GOOD RIDDANCE/ARLIE CALALO