A review of audit reports for the calendar year ended 31 December 2021 of 18 cities in Western, Central, and Eastern Visayas disclosed that 16 were given qualified opinions and only two were accorded the high mark of Unmodified Opinion.
The improvement in the quality of audit reports is fantastic. The city resident auditors, most of whom are CPA-lawyers and some have been sent abroad to review the accounts of embassies of foreign countries and various agencies of the United Nations, constitute the cream of the rank and file of the Commission on Audit in the Visayas.
Audit reporting is expected to improve even further as soon as former solicitor general Jose Calida has settled down after his recent assumption into office as CoA chairperson. He is known for his passion for excellence.
Roxas City in Western Visayas shares with Danao City of Eastern Visayas the honor of being accorded by CoA with the high mark of “Unmodified Opinion” on the fairness of the presentation of their financial statements for the calendar year ended 31 December 2021.
The Office of the Auditor of Roxas City, in its independent auditor’s report on the financial statements, stated: “There is a reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatements and were prepared in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations and in conformity with International Public Sector Accounting Standards.”
“In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly in all material respects, the financial position of Roxas City, as of 31 December 2021, its financial performance, statement of changes in net assets/equity, statement of cash flows, and statement of comparison of budget and actual amounts for the year then ended in accordance with IPSAS.”
The City of Roxas was created by Republic Act 603 dated 11 April 1951. It is situated at the tip of the Island of Panay. Its boundaries are the Visayas Sea on the north, the Municipality of Panitan on the south, the Municipality of Ivisan on the west, and the Municipality of Panay on the east.
It is located 250 nautical miles southeast of Manila, 118 kilometers northeast of Iloilo, and 86 kilometers east of Kalibo, Aklan.
Roxas City has a total land area of 101.96 square kilometers, mostly agricultural and housing communities. It has a population of 189,661, as of 2021.
The city is the seafood capital of the Philippines. It is envisioned as the cleanest, most livable, progressive, and sustainable community that preserved its historical charm and pristine beauty.
It has been an achiever, and recipient of various awards: Champion in 2021 Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive National Award, National Level Component City Category held on 15 December 2021; finalist in 2021 Gawad Galing Pook Foundation, National Level; Best Peso Employment Information System, 3rd Class Component City; Best Performing Information Office in Western Visayas; and Champion in Most Competitive LGU in the Economic Dynamism and Infrastructure Competitiveness, in the 5th Regional Recognition Ceremony in Western Visayas.
Some of the impressive images of the city are the dominant Roxas City Cathedral of the Immaculate Concepcion at the center; the Roxas City Hall on the northern side, and the Provincial Capitol on the South; the Roxas monument on the western side; and the city bandstand.
City Mayor Ronnie Dadivas and City Accountant Teresita Bediones took full responsibility for every item of accounts and results of operations contained in the financial statements of Roxas City.
The management of the City of Roxas, Capiz is responsible for all information and representations contained in the accompanying Statement of Financial Performance, Statement of Cash Flows, Statement of Comparison of Budget and Actual Amounts, Statement of Changes in the Net Assets/Equity of Notes to financial statement for the year then ended. The Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards and reflect amounts that are based on best estimates and informed judgment of management with appropriate consideration of materiality.