Getting Results - CITYNET Audit 2010

CITYNET’s audit for 2010 was successfully completed for the second year by Mr.Francisco M. Mendoza, City Budget Officer, Naga City, Philippines.

Overall, he said that he is substantially satisfied that recommendations made from last year were correctly implemented and reflected. He said there is substantial compliance by CITYNET for last year’s audit findings. Mendoza made a number of recommendations to the Secretariat which included: how terms are recorded, as well as foreign exchange losses and gains and recording of expenses. He said that these measures will increase transparency and assist with informed decision making. The full report will be released to the Executive Committee in the Agenda Paper in preparation for the next Executive Committee meeting scheduled for early November in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

“The budget is not just about money,” he said “it is about results.” More importantly he said it is the plan to achieve the results, therefore budgets will be justified by the decision.

Mendoza also made a number of programme recommendations. One of the more exciting proposals under consideration is kick starting a Philippine National Chapter. He said that this plan and budget formulation and execution could be a good way to gather and tackle the priorities within the country. He suggested that more regional groupings would allow members to communicate more easily, make proposals; expedite projects as is the idea behind the National Chapters.

Mendoza recommended that more focus should be placed on strengthening the Clusters as well as the National Chapters and Satellite Office. His suggested widening the number of informed CITYNET stakeholders through the sharing of publications, material and information. The suggestions are being reviewed and the Secretariat will stay in close contact with Mr. Mendoza as Naga City has two more years in their term as auditor.

The CITYNET Secretariat would like to thank Mr. Mendoza for his dedicated efforts as well as the generosity of Naga City.