24/10/2026
COTABATO CITY (October 24, 2026)— The Bangsamoro Pilgrimage Authority (BPA) and the Commission on Audit (COA)-BARMM convened for the CY 2026 Audit Entrance Conference on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
The conference brought together BPA management led by Executive Director MP Ibrahim D. Ali, and COA officials including COA-BARMM Supervising Auditor Atty. Hedjarah B. Mangompia-Said, CPA, and Audit Team Leader Rashad A. Usman Jr., JD.
Presentations and discussions included COA mandate, priorities, mandatory reporting requirements, relevant issuances and requirements, procedures, standards, management responsibilities in terms of accountabilities in the use of funds and report preparations and submission timeline, among others.
The officials of the Commision also presented and discussed key provisions of Republic Act 12009, the Philippine Procurement law, to enhance the appreciation of the BPA officials and personnel on the said law and its implementing rules and regulations. Emphasis was made on the strategic procurement planning, risk assessment, and capacity-building for procurement personnel.
BPA Executive Director and Member of Parliament Ibrahim D. Ali reaffirmed the Authority's commitment to responsible financial management and institutional improvement.
“Every peso entrusted to this Authority, to this office, must be properly accounted for and spent for its intended purpose,” he said.
Among the highlights of the activity was the signing of an engagement letter between BPA and COA, formalizing their cooperation and respective responsibilities for a transparent and productive audit process.
Meanwhile, Atty. Mangompia-Said emphasized the importance of ensuring that public funds are properly managed and ultimately benefit the Bangsamoro people.
The entrance conference aimed to establish a common understanding of the audit's scope, objectives, and requirements while strengthening coordination between BPA and COA for the effective conduct of the CY 2026 audit. (BPA Public Information)