More than a decade of intense work has been accumulated by the Comptroller General's Office of the Republic of Cuba, created in 2009 to continue perfecting the control and preservation of the finances and patrimonial assets of the state and the people.
By María Josefina Arce
More than a decade of intense work has been accumulated by the Comptroller General's Office of the Republic of Cuba, created in 2009 to continue perfecting the control and preservation of the finances and patrimonial assets of the state and the people.
It had its antecedents in the National Audit Office, an experience that allowed giving way to this audit body and applying a broader and more inclusive perspective in the control mechanisms applied until then.
Throughout all these years, many actions have been developed by the Comptroller's Office, which not only points out problems, but also seeks the causes and makes recommendations.
The Comptroller's Office also responds to complaints from the public regarding administrative irregularities or other illegalities related to the improper use of public resources.
Its work has been recognized not only by Cuban authorities, but also by regional organizations. In fact, from 2011 to 2013 the Comptroller's Office presided over the Central American and Caribbean Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions, and was awarded the "Merit to Control" recognition granted by that entity.
But since 2019 Cuba has a new Magna Carta, which confers constitutional rank to the Comptroller General of the Republic as a guarantor of the correct and transparent administration of public funds and superior control over administrative management.
Hence, a new legislation is necessary to regulate the functions constitutionally assigned to this entity, which will replace the current Law 107.
This process began with the creation last October of the temporary working group and its two subgroups. At the beginning of this month, the draft bill of the Comptroller General of the Republic and of the System of Superior Control of Public Funds and Administrative Management was presented.
The bill is the result of the work of 53 people, among them representatives of organizations, institutions and companies, as well as of internal consultations in which 340 opinions were received and 230 were accepted.
The text, which grants a decisive role to internal and external control, seeks to demand ethical performance from managers and entities, while regulating relations with all bodies such as the Public Prosecutor's Office, courts and Parliament.
For the Comptroller General, Gladys Bejerano, it is important to promote a culture of control and prevention in organizations, as well as transparent accountability.
Hence, this entity seeks to improve its work mechanisms in order to safeguard the resources of the nation and the Cuban people.
