DAVAO CITY — As part of the 126th Anniversary celebration of the Commission on Audit (COA), the Regional Technical Audit Group (RTAG) XI conducted a comprehensive technical site visit and orientation at the Davao City Bypass Road Project on May 16, 2025.
The activity aimed to enhance the state technical auditors’ understanding of modern construction methodologies and reinforce their capability to perform infrastructure-related audits. This initiative reflects COA Region XI’s ongoing commitment to social responsibility and good governance. It ensures that public funds are utilized effectively and efficiently through continuous professional development.
The Davao City Bypass Road Project, a flagship infrastructure initiative spanning 45.5 kilometers, features the country’s longest twin-tube mountain tunnel, extending 2.3 kilometers. Implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Unified Project Management Office under Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, the project exemplifies state-of-the-art tunneling techniques and advanced road construction technologies. Once completed, it is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion and stimulate economic growth across the region.
During the visit, RTAG XI personnel engaged in site tours, technical briefings, and field orientations conducted by the DPWH Road Management Cluster I under Project Engineer Juan M. Diña, Jr., the Consultant’s Project Manager Wako Noto, and the Contractor’s Project Director Akira Mito. These experiences provided valuable insights into the project’s engineering innovations and complexities, equipping the technical auditors with the knowledge to more effectively evaluate large-scale infrastructure projects.
This initiative underscores COA’s commitment to excellence in public service by keeping its technical audit personnel abreast of evolving engineering practices. By integrating updated knowledge into their audit work, RTAG XI enhances the quality and responsiveness of its technical assessments.
The site visit also highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration. DPWH’s active involvement and transparent sharing of project updates reinforced the shared goals of promoting accountability, transparency, and high-quality implementation of infrastructure development.
As COA marks 126 years of dedicated public service, it remains steadfast in its mission to uphold integrity, competence, and accountability in governance — continuously adapting to emerging challenges and innovations in the public sector. Engr. Erdsan Rene Suero