CLARK FREEPORT—Accountants carry a responsibility that goes beyond numbers: to protect the credibility of financial information, strengthen institutional integrity, and help hold those in power to account. For CDC President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera, this makes certified public accountants indispensable to good governance and the economy they serve.
Atty. Devanadera made the statement during the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Pampanga Chapter’s 61st Induction and Turnover Ceremonies and Regional Sectoral Summit for Government on August 14 at the SMX Convention Center Clark.
She said the profession’s responsibility extends beyond preparing and certifying financial statements, particularly as institutions face greater scrutiny and calls for accountability.
“When you are certified by the accountants, by the external auditors, you don’t only sign the audited financial statements with your name, you actually affix the imprint of integrity and credibility,” Atty. Devanadera said.
She noted that accountants and auditors may be called upon to explain financial statements they have certified, underscoring the weight of their professional judgment and credibility.
Atty. Devanadera also emphasized that while technology and artificial intelligence may take over mechanical and clerical accounting tasks, they cannot replace the judgment and discernment expected of professionals.
“The exercise of judgment, the exercise of discernment can never, never be replaced,” she said.
She said this makes PICPA’s theme, “EMPOWER—Elevating the Filipino CPA Towards Ethical Leadership and Global Excellence,” timely as the profession navigates technological change while upholding ethical standards.
Atty. Devanadera likewise highlighted the profession’s broader impact on institutions and economies, noting that CPAs can “make or unmake an economy” because businesses, investors, and the public rely on credible financial information.
Forty-two CDC personnel also took part in the technical sessions, putting the summit’s capacity-building thrust into practice. Participants included members of the CDC Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Infrastructure, BAC for Goods and Consulting Services, BAC Technical Working Groups, and the Finance Department.
The technical sessions gave CDC’s procurement and finance personnel relevant updates on the New Government Procurement Act (Republic Act No. 12009) and 2026 tax and compliance developments.
With government and allied-sector CPAs in attendance, the gathering also combined professional development with the formal induction of PICPA Pampanga’s incoming officers.
PICPA Pampanga likewise recognized CDC’s Communications Division, Tourism Promotions Division, and Atty. Devanadera with special citations for their support and partnership during the chapter’s 2026 Accountancy Week celebration in July.
The continuing collaboration highlights CDC’s support for professional development while strengthening Clark’s role as a venue for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) and other professional gatherings.
