COA elected as external auditor of WHO

The Philippine Commission on Audit (COA) was elected as the new external auditor of the World Health Organization from 2012 to 2015. Citing a report from the Philippine Embassy in Geneva, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the election was held a the 64th World Health Assembly on May 19. Health Secretary Enrique Ona and Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) and Other International Organizations in Geneva Evan Garcia led the Philippine delegation, the DFA said in a news release on its website. New COA Chairwoman Maria Gracia Pulido-Tan and COA Commissioner Heidi Mendoza were also part of the Philippine delegation, the DFA said. Pulido-Tan delivered the winning presentation of the Philippines' bid for the prestigious position, the DFA added. The WHO is the UN's public health arm. It is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the UN system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends. - VVP, GMA News