CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 25 -- After a five-day intensive audit by the Nationwide Agri-Fisheries Investment Audit Team (NAFIAT), the Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) management committed to strengthen its operational policies and project implementation for its Rice and Corn programs.

DA-RFO 10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado eyed for the build-up of corn and rice projects execution strategies in the coming years noting NAFIAT findings.

"The biggest room in this world is the room for self-improvement. We assure you [NAFIAT] that we will be doing our best to improve our weaknesses and further strengthen our strengths as we continuously serve our farmers in Region 10," Director Collado candidly said as he thanked the audit team's inputs.

The director assured them that the findings will be properly addressed through a concerted effort by the DA-10 management committee.

The nationwide corn and rice programs audit by NAFIAT was prompted by the media storm over improper allocation of government-granted agri machineries and infrastructure projects, prompting DA to organize a special audit team under Special Order No. 1042.

NAFIAT is primarily commissioned to audit DA mechanization programs from CY 2015-2019 to strengthen the country's agricultural modernization program focusing on two key frameworks: funds audit and physical audit.

Dr. Rosanna Marie C. Amongo of PSABE, NAFIAT sub-team 2 leader and her team rolled-out a five-day audit of DA-10 Corn and Rice Programs farm mechanization projects.

The audit was conducted by interviewing and meeting focus groups and key informants involved in the project's implementation - DA-RFO 10 key personnel, selected LGU and AFC officials, agri- machinery dealers, solar-powered irrigation system contractors, farmer associations and cooperatives.

To gather ground-level information, the audit team also visited selected farmer-beneficiaries in Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon provinces.

After comprehensive data gathering, analysis and assessment, NAFIAT came up with its audit findings and was presented to DA-RFO 10 management committee in an exit meeting on February 21, 2020 at the Marianne Suite, Cagayan de Oro City.

Aside from DA's good operational practices, NAFIAT has also observed areas to be strengthened for improved project implementation.

In her part, Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga moved for the creation of a unified inter-division monitoring team to strategically monitor the projects implemented under the Rice and Corn programs.

DA-10 is one of the first six regions audited by NAFIAT. While the audit observations are detailed in the exit meeting, the group will be presenting consolidated recommendations to the six DA regional field offices. (DA-10)