COA-CAR Regional Conference and Christmas Celebration




For the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the
annual Regional Conference and Christmas Celebration of the Commission on Audit
– Cordillera Administrative Region (COA-CAR) was held in person at the COA-CAR
Regional Office, La Trinidad, Benguet, on December 7, 2022.
COA personnel from all provinces of CAR converged to celebrate and
reunite with their co-workers and friends for the event themed, “Sa araw ng
Pasko, kapayapaan hindi kaguluhan; pagdadamayan hindi pagbabangayan.”
The event started with a mass celebration to commemorate Christmas and
to give thanks to the Lord God Almighty. Afterwards, COA-CAR Regional Director
Cecilia G. Ancheta formally welcomed all personnel of COA-CAR to the
celebration by expounding on the theme and explaining how peace can be achieved
in our personal lives. COA-CAR singers, Mr. Bhonel M. Tabigne and Ms. Maeyan D.
Balagsa, followed through to spice up the celebration with a medley of classic
and modern Christmas songs.
Service Chief Edna T. Tomelden discussed the updates on office policies
and administrative guidelines, and Chief Administrative Officer Teresita T.
Martin presented the newly promoted COA-CAR personnel and the twenty-four (24)
new recruits.
One of the highlights of the celebration was the performance of the
audit groups per place of assignment. In total, there were eight groups, namely,
from the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mt. Province,
and the City of Baguio which was split into Baguio NGS Group and Baguio LGS and
CGS Group. The live stage presentations comprised of songs, dance, skit, or a
combination of all.
As compared to previous years, the Christmas presentation contest this
year was quite unique with the inclusion of representatives of various age
brackets ranging from 20s up to 60s. The presentations were well participated
in by Supervising Auditors, Regional Supervising Auditors, Audit Team Leaders,
and Audit Team Members alike.
In the afternoon, COA auditors participated in parlor games by tandem
of areas, interspersed with raffle of prizes. After the games, the exchange
gift activity commenced and the results of the presentation contest were
announced.
The Baguio NGS Group was crowned as the champion of the presentation
contest, trailed by the Abra and Benguet Groups in second and third place,
respectively. The Baguio NGS Group presented a dramatic episode in the format
of Maalaala Mo Kaya entitled “Rehas”, depicting the life of a fictional
character named “Arvin” who was incarcerated due to a regretful crime. Upon his
release from the prison, he was able to find new hope and love from his family.
The Abra Group portrayed in their presentation that, despite the severe impact
of the earthquake that happened this year, Christmas is still a time of giving
and celebration. The Benguet group showcased a conflict between the poor and
the privileged in the midst of crises. In the end, they found reasons to
celebrate the season of giving. The Baguio NGS Group was also the winner for
the previous year’s Christmas presentation contest conducted through
pre-recorded video presentations.
The whole day affair was concluded with a closing address from the OIC-Assistant
Regional Director, Atty. Bernard D. Bakilan.