A special event was held last February 10, 2022, right after the inauguration and blessing ceremony of the new PSAO Laguna Building of the Commission on Audit (COA).  The Region IV-A family organized a despedida or farewell party for its outgoing Regional Director and now Commissioner Mario G. Lipana.  He has served as the OIC-Regional Director for almost four years, and was the main proponent of many PSAO projects in the Region. 

    The event also served as the venue for the Region IV-A family to welcome in its new OIC-Regional Director, Atty. Resurreccion C. Quieta, who assumed office last January 27, 2022.  He was previously the Supervising Auditor (SA) of Quezon City – National Capital Region, under the Local Government Sector (LGS).  He was appointed Director III by then COA Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo last November 2, 2021.

    Mr. Rodolfo M. Asuncion, SA of the Province of Laguna welcomed all the guests present at the event. Thereafter, some Regional Supervising Auditors (RSA) from the National Government Sector (NGS) and the Corporate Government Sector (CGS), as well as the Service Chiefs of the Regional Office No. IV-A delivered messages for both Commissioner Lipana and Director Quieta.    

    Everyone was treated to live musical performances courtesy of the talented COAns, namely: Ms. Teena Norombaba, Audit Team Leader (ATL) – CGS Cluster 5, Ms. Athena Estremos, OIC-ATL of the National Food Authority-Laguna Provincial Office, Mr. Florante P. Mondez, ATL – City Government of Dasmariñas, Cavite, and the power-house couple composed of Mr. Renato Seriaco and SA of Pasay City Ms. Rebecca Seriaco, who earlier delivered a short message for Atty. Quieta.

     Commissioner Lipana thereafter delivered a speech wherein he reminisced his early days at the Commission, from the time he started in November 1983 as the Unit Head of the National Irrigation Authority which was then based in Palawan (but he said he reported monthly at its office in Pila, Laguna), up to the present.  He shared some words of advice to his fellow COAns: “[D]on’t be afraid of challenges coming your way; face them. Have passion for your work. Accept changes. Your hardwork and passion will not go unnoticed.”  He then officially welcomed to Region IV-A his successor, Atty. Quieta, whom he said was his first and only choice to head the Region, and the one whom he recommended to then Chairperson Aguinaldo.  Lastly, he thanked the Region IV-A family for all the love and respect shown to him all throughout his term, and he urged everyone to do the same for Atty. Quieta, whom he said not only deserves love and respect but also the support of everyone in the Region. 

      Atty. Quieta, for his part, thanked Commissioner Lipana for the trust reposed on him, and for being a kind-hearted and humble person.  He further said that he owes him a debt of gratitude for entrusting the Region to him.  Atty. Quieta then formally introduced himself to everyone, and even shared the origin of his name to the delight of those present. He said he was born on Easter Sunday or Resurrection Sunday that is why he was named “Resurreccion”.  He then bared his plan to conduct a seminar on cash examinations for the RSAs.  He also mentioned that he would encourage and in fact preferred open communication, instead of written communication like memoranda, between him and the auditors.  He said that he will continue one of the practices of Commissioner Lipana which is to leave the door of his office always open for anyone who wishes to see him.  Finally, he said that he was grateful for the very warm welcome that he received from the Region IV-A family, and echoed the advice of Commissioner Lipana to have a deep passion for one’s work, reminding everyone that the bottom line is always performance.

     After Atty. Quieta delivered his speech, he accepted the symbolic key of Region IV-A from Commissioner Lipana, who wished him success and happiness in his new undertaking.  To this, Atty. Quieta said: “[R]est assured, sir, I will not fail you.”

      The afternoon affair was concluded with a message from the newly appointed Assistant Regional Director for Region IV-A, Mr. Juniel D. Sadiasa. Director Sadiasa narrated how he got to know Commissioner Lipana, how he ended up in Region IV-A and how he also recommended Atty. Quieta to head the Region. He then thanked everyone from Region IV-A for warmly accepting him, and wished everyone present an enjoyable time. 

     The casual and light affair was hosted by Ms. Cruzette P. Dela Cruz, Mr. Dexter L. Clamor, and Ms. Maria Luisa L. Aganan.