The Department of Education (DepEd) has recorded its highest audit compliance rate in four years, resolving 83% of its outstanding Commission on Audit (COA) recommendations in 2025, a significant improvement from 52% in 2024, as governance reforms under Education Secretary Sonny Angara continue to strengthen accountability and transparency across the agency.
According to COA’s Consolidated Annual Audit Report for the year ended December 31, 2025, DepEd fully implemented 307 of 368 actionable audit recommendations from previous years, reflecting substantial progress in addressing long-standing audit issues and reinforcing sound financial management, internal controls, and institutional governance.
The Department’s 83% implementation rate marks a notable increase from previous years, when compliance stood at 56% in 2022, 54% in 2023, and 52% in 2024, underscoring the impact of reforms aimed at improving operational efficiency and fiscal discipline.
Marking his second year at the helm of the Department, Secretary Angara credited DepEd personnel nationwide for prioritizing accountability and working collectively to resolve long-pending audit observations.
“Fixing long-standing audit issues isn’t just an accounting exercise. It’s about operational integrity and fulfilling President Bongbong Marcos’ mandate for transparent, accountable governance,” Angara said.
“Moving our action rate from 52% to 83% shows that we are serious about safeguarding public funds. Under the Marcos administration, responsible budget management directly affects the speed and efficiency with which resources reach our classrooms, teachers, and learners,” he added.
The improved compliance comes as DepEd also earned an Unmodified Audit Opinion from COA for the third consecutive year—the highest audit opinion issued by the state audit body. The rating signifies that the Department’s financial statements are fairly presented, in all material respects, in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework.
COA’s report also showed that, out of 882 prior-year audit observations monitored by the Commission, 345 findings were officially closed, while 169 were updated or revised as part of ongoing compliance efforts.
Of the 368 actionable recommendations, DepEd successfully implemented 307, leaving only 61 recommendations for completion. The Department said it remains committed to working closely with COA to address the remaining audit findings and further strengthen transparency, accountability, and good governance across all regional offices and school divisions nationwide.
The latest audit results reinforce DepEd’s continuing efforts to institutionalize reforms that promote responsible fiscal management and ensure that public resources are managed efficiently in support of quality education for Filipino learners.
