The Chairperson thanked the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) for their generosity–a 50-year lease agreement, thus, the construction of the PSAO within the Provincial Capitol’s vicinity was made possible. Indeed, a symbol of interdependence with COA as enabling partner of government agencies towards nation building. He likewise referred to the PSAO as an emblem of independence.   

For his part, Commissioner Pondoc also conveyed words of appreciation to the PGLU and declared that PSAOs symbolize independence which translates into rendering the highest standards of audit and value added reports. He further stressed that COA Auditors are no longer watchdogs but enabling partners in nation building. PSAO La Union can now be truly called the “home” of the Local Government Sector-La Union Auditors. 

Governor Ortega lauded COA for being a committed partner of the PGLU in upholding transparency and accountability. He likewise shared the good news that the province had been recognized, along with its 20 component local government units, by the DILG for Good Financial Housekeeping in 2019. He further added that the PSAO will rise along with hopes and prayers for a sustained solidarity, oneness and harmony for the people of La Union.


Subsequently on February 27, 2020, Chairperson Aguinaldo and Hon. Mayor Julio F. Parayno III of Urdaneta City signed the Deed of Donation for the 1,500 sq. m. lot donated by the City for the construction of the 5th PSAO in Region I through a ceremony held at the Balikbayan Hall, Urdaneta City.  The PSAO building to be constructed will be the new home of the audit teams assigned in Eastern Pangasinan.  Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc, Assistant Comm. Joseph B. Anacay, Regional Director (RD) Michael R. Bacani, OIC-Assistant RD Cecilia G. Ancheta, Hon. City Vice Mayor Jimmy D. Parayno and City Administrator Randy Parayno witnessed the signing ceremony. 

Words of gratitude and appreciation were conveyed by Chairperson Aguinaldo and Commissioner Pondoc to the City Government of Urdaneta for the lot donation. According to the Chair, the PSAO is symbolic of COA’s independence. Likewise, the Chair mentioned the interdependence between COA and government agencies, they, being enabling partners in development and for the promotion of the general welfare of the citizenry. 

Hon. Mayor Julio F. Parayno informed the COA officials that aside from the lot donation to COA, the City also donated lots to other national and corporate agencies which hold offices in the City, COA getting the biggest lot area. 

 Top officials of COA Region I expressed their words of gratitude to the local officials and employees of Urdaneta City who made possible the lot donation a reality. RD Bacani announced that it was only Urdaneta City which donated the lot for the future PSAO while other local government units gave lots for PSAO under lease/usufruct agreements.