It was in 2006 and 2007 when the Office of the Public Auditor was asked to look into CPA’s operations, particularly its procurement and personnel regulations, as requested by then board chairman Rex I. Palacios and then executive director Clyde Norita.
The two are no longer with CPA.
Pai said OPA auditors have done some fieldwork but there are “barriers” preventing them from completing the audit.
CPA’s board has been revamped and it also lost its accounting staffers, comptroller, deputy executive director, fire chief, executive director, consultants and staff attorneys.
“One major barrier…is the high turnover rate of CPA,” said OPA audit manager Ross Zapanta. “Different offices and agencies have different ways of responding and complying with a request.”
Because of the changes in management and board, “CPA’s priorities may have changed,” he said.
In a typical audit engagement, Pai said obtaining necessary data and documents from clients is the main factor in the delay in completion.
“Because clients or personnel are tied up with day-to-day tasks…requests for documentations and audit records are considered second priority,” he said. “This alone, slows down our field work.”
But Pai said OPA remains committed to finish its engagements with CPA although he cannot provide a time-frame regarding their completion.
