History and Mandate

         The offices of Planning and Development (PDO), University Quality Assurance (UQAC) and Internal Audit Services (IAS) Office were integrated to be known as Integrated Planning, Quality Assurance and Internal Audit Office (IPQAIA) by virtue of the Board of Regents (BOR) Resolution No. 74 series of 2023 approved during the 240^th BOR meeting. Accordingly, the newly created office shall be headed by an Office Director under the direct supervision of the University President, while each sub-offices under shall be headed by a Deputy Director. On May 5, 2023 with Special Order No. 215, s. 2023 issued by the Office of the University President designated Engr. Jerico M. Padrones as the first Director. During the integration he was the concurrent Director of IAS, his first directorship role in the university since March 16, 2021 and PDO where he assumed directorship in November 2022.

         Prior to the merging, the Planning and Development Office (PDO) is headed by the Director, working directly under the University President, the office is part of the Executive Division of the University. The original name of the office was Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Office (PMEO) that also covers the monitoring and evaluation of faculty members, it was created to perform the following functions:

1. 1. The PDO develop strategies to formulate the institutional plans of the university;
   2. The PDO establishes and maintains the database of the university;
   3. The PDO provides assistance to the various colleges in the development of the infrastructure plans and other project plans;
   4. The PDO monitors the implementation of the operational plan of the university; and
   5. The PDO prepares and submit reports as required by external agencies such as CHED, NEDA, DBM, etc.

       The University Quality Assurance Center (UQAC) on the other hand was formerly called Institutional Accreditation Office (IAO) headed by Dr. Lourdes Rosario M. Jimenez. It was renamed University Quality Assurance Center to cover not only Accreditation of program offerings but also Curriculum Development and Instructional Materials Development. The center was created through Office Order No. 268 series of 2013 dated July 22, 2013 designating Dr. Cecilio L. Manarpaac as the Director.

The Center performs the following processes:

1. 1. The UQAC shall be in charge of the overall accreditation of the University, both internally and externally;
   2. The UQAC coordinates the University’s program and institutional accreditation plans with the AACCUP;
   3. The UQAC shall provide guidance in the program standards and takes charge of the dissemination and information plans relevant to accreditation and COPC application and maintenance;
   4. The UQAC shall report plans and accomplishments of the University Accreditation to the President’s Office and other Offices as needed; and;
   5. The UQAC shall spearhead the preparation of units, colleges and campuses to any quality assurance visits from external accrediting agencies.

         The Center is directly under the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs in its original structure. Only during the merging in May 2023 when it become under the Office of the University President.

         The Internal Audit Services (IAS) Office was created in 2018, in response to the Administrative Order (AO) 70 signed on April 14, 2003, by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, entitled Strengthening of Internal Control Systems of Government Offices, Agencies, Government-Owned and/or Controlled Corporations including Government Financial Institutions, State Universities and Colleges and Local Government Units.

           Section 1 of the AO, states that IAS shall be an integral part of the office and shall assist in the management and effective discharge of the responsibilities of the office, without intruding into the authority and mandate of the Commission on Audit (COA) granted under the Constitution. It shall function in accordance with the policies established by the provisions of Republic Act No. 3456 as amended by Republic Act No. 4177. Furthermore, the IAS shall be provided with sufficient support from the top management to gain the cooperation/confidence of the Auditee.

           Internal Audit shall be performed with proficiency and due professional care, in accordance with the following, to wit:

1. 1. The IAS shall create an Internal Audit team and ensure that the technical proficiency and educational background of internal auditors are appropriate for the audit to be performed;
   2. The IAS shall ensure that internal audits are carried out in a frequency reasonable for the office and are properly supervised and performed with due professional care;
   3. The IAS shall conduct the audit in conformity with International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing;
   4. The IAS will report the findings of the audit to the management and monitoring compliance to the audit report;
   5. The IAS shall provide guidance to the Administrative Officials on the ARTA Law requirements and monitors compliance of the University: and
   6. The IAS shall conduct clients/customers feedback of the services and prepare report monthly to be provided to the office heads and the results shared to the management.

           The Code of Ethics promulgated by the Association of Government Internal Auditors (AGIA) shall be strictly observed to maintain high standards of honesty, objectivity, diligence and loyalty in the audit processes.