ILOILO City – For the second consecutive year, the Iloilo City Government has proven its commitment to fiscal discipline by once again earning an Unmodified Opinion from the Commission on Audit (COA) for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.
The official verdict was delivered in an Annual Audit Report transmitted to Mayor Raisa S. Treñas by COA Region 6 OIC Regional Director Maria Gleda E. Lim.
In the report, Lim confirmed that an unmodified opinion was rendered on the fairness of presentation of the city’s financial statements and the audit was rigorously conducted in accordance with the International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions.
For Iloilo City, this recognition represents a seamless transition of integrity. The city last received this distinction during the final year of then Mayor Jerry P. Treñas’ administration. Earning it again today marks both a continuation and a powerful reaffirmation of the city’s commitment to transparency across leadership transitions.
A Shared Triumph of Good Governance
While the achievement bears her administration’s name, Mayor Raisa S. Treñas was quick to share the credit with the workforce driving City Hall.
“For my first year as mayor, this is a meaningful highlight of our governance journey. But this achievement is not mine alone. It reflects a whole-of-government effort from all city departments, offices, and personnel who ensured diligence, compliance, and accountability in the use of public funds,” she said.
The Mayor also extended her gratitude to COA for its independent review and guidance, which she noted continues to strengthen the city’s financial systems.
“As we move forward, this recognition further strengthens our resolve to sustain — and even elevate — our standards of transparency, accountability, and efficient public service for every Ilonggo,” she added.
Dedication Behind the Ledger
While leadership sets the tone, the gruelling groundwork happens behind closed doors.
For the Office of the City Accountant (OCA), this back-to-back recognition is a hard-won victory that validates their daily sacrifices.
City Accountant Michelle Lopez emphasized that covering fiscal years 2024 and 2025 with clean audit results required intense institutional discipline.
“Behind this accomplishment is the product of diligent work, countless hours of reconciliation, tight schedules, follow-ups with other offices, corrections, deadlines, and the responsibility of ensuring that public funds are properly accounted for,” Lopez shared.
“These require patience, discipline, diligence, and a team that is committed to getting things right,” she added.
Lopez credited the success to the absolute cooperation of all City Hall offices in safeguarding financial integrity.
She also expressed gratitude to both Mayor Raisa and former Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, whose trust and leadership continue to inspire the city’s financial team to strive for excellence.
According to COA, an unmodified opinion (also referred to as unqualified opinion) is an opinion issued when the auditor concludes that the financial statements are prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework.
The extensive audit focused on three core objectives. First, ascertain the level of assurance that may be placed on the assertions of the City Government of Iloilo regarding its financial statements, Second, determine compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations and identify opportunities for improvement. Lastly, assess the implementation of prior years’ audit recommendations./PN
