By Mat Jerome Casequin
Bicutan, Taguig City – The Department of Science and Technology – Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI), together with DOST-Internal Audit Service (IAS), conducted the closing meeting for the Baseline Assessment of the Internal Control Systems (BAICS) on April 3, 2023, at the TAPI Audio Visual Room.
Closing Meeting ceremony for the BAICS Results, attended by TAPI Director Atty. Marion Ivy Decena, Division Heads, and other core staff of TAPI, together with the BAICS Team headed by IAS Director IV Maria Teresa De Guzman.
The meeting was attended by TAPI Director Atty. Marion Ivy Decena, Division Heads, and other core staff of TAPI. The presentation of results was led by the BAICS Team, headed by IAS Director IV Maria Teresa De Guzman, Operation Audit Division OIC Mr. Edgardo P. Catorce Jr., IAS-OpAD Internal Auditor III Mr. Rommell Ross C. Oba, and MAuD IAS Internal Auditor IV Ms. Marian C. Gelera.
DOST-TAPI Director Atty. Decena giving her opening remarks for the BAICS Closing Meeting Ceremony.
In her opening speech, Director Ma. Teresa De Guzman praised TAPI for its exceptional collaboration and impressive results. The assessment showed strong performance across all areas: Control Environment (96%), Risk Management (90%), Control Activities (92%), Information and Communication (99%), and Monitoring (100%).
The Team commended the agency’s three (3) Technical Divisions, and emphasized that the Team did not find any deficiencies in the areas covered for assessment.
The BAICS team also highlighted TAPI’s best practices, including its strategic approach to enhancing employee comprehension of relevant laws and policies through the organization's quarterly publication, LINAW (Legal Issuances for Amplification in the Workplace), institutionalizing internal controls through formal policies and guidelines, exemplary execution of their Freedom of Information (FOI) programs, and development and implementation of an effective document-tracking system (DOST-TAPI Online Routing System or DTORS).
From BAICS Team, Mr. Edgardo P. Catorce Jr., on the results of their assessments highlighting good points and practices that they encounter during the process.
On the other hand, the Technical Division exhibited good internal control practices in documenting its operations, such as benchmarking activities, performance reviews, periodic monitoring, and evaluation of PPAs that contribute to the agency’s better decision-making and accountability.
The BAIC Team, however, mentioned a few internal control deficiencies and provided recommendations that will help TAPI develop sustainable solutions and preventive strategies for future challenges.
In her closing message, TAPI Director Atty. Decena emphasized that this is the time to push for the impact assessment of TAPI programs for the agency to be well-equipped and to ensure that TAPI can efficiently provide the services our country needs.
BAICS is an integral method in the internal audit cycle for all government agencies, GFIs, GOCCs, and SUCs. The knowledge gained from the results of this assessment will help the Head of Agency or Offices in strengthening the internal control system, as embodied in the Revised Philippine Government Internal Audit Manual (RPGIAM).
