The Commission on Audit (COA) on Tuesday recognized that its shortage of field auditors was a “cause for concern” after lawmakers questioned its capacity to monitor government projects amid the issue of anomalous infrastructure projects.

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cedaña asked COA representatives whether the commission had been able to resolve its shortage of auditors, especially in regions with infrastructure projects that needed to be examined.

COA Assistant Commissioner Lorna Cabochan responded that while 716 positions were removed from its plantilla after its 2020 review, the commission has secured 332 employees from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in July, leaving only 384 positions unrecovered.

“Yes po. Cause for concern. Because the agencies po are adding po and as present, medyo kulang na rin po ang mga auditors natin in the field,” Cabochan said.

The persistent shortage was due to auditors leaving the agency for work with better compensation, situated closer to their homes, and with more flexible work arrangements, she said.

Others have also transferred to other government agencies, resigned, or retired.

In response, Cedaña warned that the shortage could affect the government’s planned infrastructure allotment, particularly for flood control projects, funding for which has come under scrutiny after (...) of corruption.

“Medyo alarming itong trend na ito. Mas lalo din alarming na kulang na kulang pa rin pala hanggang ngayon. Ngayong 2027 po may proposed na ₱107 billion para sa flood control under DPWH. Kapag palpak muli ang audit or kapag kulang, mabagal ang audit, repeat performance tayo sa 2025,” Cedaña cautioned.

COA Commissioner Douglas Michael Mallillin said the commission was currently addressing this issue through the use of technology and data analytics training for its hires.

Moreover, COA was pushing for geotagging requirements for infrastructure projects and looking into the effectiveness of continuous auditing instead of sticking to a full pre-audit system, which would require more funding.

“Kung titingnan po natin itong government accounting manual, may kalumaan na bago iyong issuance noong 2015. Pero iyong mga proseso ng COA, inaamin namin, marami na kailangan palitan. Napaparami iyong papel, naiiba naman iyong tawag ng teknolohiya, so binabago po namin iyon," Mallillin said.