The Commission on Audit (COA) conducted its Exit Conference with the Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) for Calendar Year (CY) 2023 at the Conference Hall, LSPU-San Pablo City Campus, March 5. 

Ms. Candy Angelica B. Borbe, Audit Team Leader, shared the audit report for the University which covered the summary of audit observations and recommendations (SAOR) for CY 2023, the status of implementation of prior year’s recommendation, and other matters. 

The exit conference is a space for the presentation and discussion of the audit observations and recommendations between the auditing team and the management. This meeting at the end of an audit engagement provides an avenue to clarify the specifics of the report on the operations of the institution. This is done in line with the mandate and commitment of the institution to transparency as a government institution.

After the preliminaries, the program started with the introduction and roll call of attendees.  Ms. Heidy M. Barcimo, Supervising Auditor, headed the presentation of the delegates of the Commission on Audit (COA). Meanwhile, presenting the delegates of the LSPU were Engr. Beltran P. Pedrigal, Vice President for Administration; and Mr. Efren Dela Paz, Administrative Officer V as representative of Atty. Rushid Jay S. Sancon, Campus Director of Los Baños Campus, respectively. 

A/Prof. Joel M. Bawica, Campus Director for the San Pablo City Campus, also presented the delegates of the campus and delivered his opening remarks for the meeting, noting the importance of the conference to improve further the operations of the University. 

“As much as we give our best effort to conform to the standards, it is impossible to assert perfection,” he said. “Hence, we need a helping hand to let us know of the things we may improve on to provide the best services possible.”

In her message, Ms. Heidy M. Barcimo went over the purpose, coverage, and process of the exit conference. She also expressed appreciation for the implementation of the Gender and Development (GAD) in the previous year.

The presentation of observations and recommendations was conducted interactively wherein the officials concerned were called upon to clarify and explain matters relative to each specific observation. 

Dr. Mario R. Briones, University President, headed the LSPU delegations with Engr. Beltran P. Pedrigal, Vice President for Administration; Dr. Robert C. Agatep, Vice President for Research Development and Extension; Engr. Manuel Luis Alvarez, Campus Director of Sta. Cruz Campus; A/Prof. Joel M. Bawica, Campus Director for San Pablo City Campus; Mr. Efren Dela Paz, Administrative Officer V; and other officials from finances, budget, supply, business affairs, research, and extension, among others. 

Meanwhile, in attendance from the Commission on Audit (COA) were Ms. Heidy M. Barcimo, Supervising Auditor; Ms. Candy Angelica B. Borbe, Audit Team Leader for Region 4A Team 2 for SUCs and Other NGAs SAAs; and Mr. Miguel Anton Rivera, Audit Team Member for Region 4A Team 2 for SUCs and Other NGAs SAAs, among others.