ROME, ITALY – The Philippine’s Commission on Audit (COA) was appointed as External Auditor of the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for another six-year term during the 148^th session of the FAO Finance Committee last March 19, 2013.  It was selected over other shortlisted candidates, Germany and United Kingdom.

This is the second time that the Commission will serve as FAO External Auditor.  It was first elected last June 2007 at the FAO Council’s 132^nd session with a four-year term from 2008.  In April 2011, its term was extended for the period 2012-2013 during the 141^st session of the FAO Council.

“Our triumph in the Food and Agricultural Organization bid is a recognition of our distinct expertise in the field of international audit,” said COA Chairperson Ma. Gracia M. Pulido Tan.  “This achievement is shared by all of us in the Commission.  I thank my colleagues in COA and all those who have extended their unwavering support in our campaign.”

To date, this is the Commission’s third international recognition under the leadership of Chairperson Tan.  In May 2011, it was elected as External Auditor of the World Health Organization during its 64^th Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.  In March 2012, it was elected to a three-year term in the governing board of the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) during its 12^th Assembly in Jaipur, India.

Accompanying Chairperson Tan during her oral presentation for the FAO bid were International Audit and Relations Office (IARO) Director Lito Q. Martin, Office of the Chairperson Director Ma. Milagros A. Lapus, Philippine Embassy Minister Grace Cruz-Fabella and Agriculture Attaché Lupino Lazaro, Jr.

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