Dominican Republic Comptroller Ramps Up Public Sector Audits, Oversight

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — The Dominican Republic's Comptroller General's Office (CGR) substantially expanded its internal control coverage across public administration during the 2020-2025 presidential term, opening 98 new Internal Audit Units and completing 184 audits in 2025 alone.

Comptroller General Félix Santana García announced the details, highlighting that these initiatives fulfill directives from President Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona and Organic Law 10-07. The CGR also coordinated and supervised 42 audits conducted by private firms, ensuring technical independence and adherence to current standards, a move Santana García described as a significant shift in public sector auditing practices.

This increased oversight demonstrates a robust strengthening of the Comptroller's operational capacity and a firm commitment to timely and effective fiscalization.

For the first time, governmental oversight directly reached local governments and municipalities. Between January and June 2025, the CGR conducted 68 audits in these local entities, encompassing both general evaluations and specific payroll reviews. These actions aim to fortify municipal institutions and foster more orderly and transparent management at the local level, where citizens experience the immediate impact of public resources.

Currently, 18 central government ministries are undergoing audits, with an additional five scheduled to commence soon. Furthermore, the CGR completed 22 audits of central government executive units with budgets exceeding 1 billion pesos, signaling a strategic focus on entities with the largest budgetary impact.

The CGR also executed 34 follow-up processes on previous audits to verify the implementation of recommendations, address identified weaknesses, and prevent recurring irregularities. This approach underscores that auditing extends beyond merely detecting findings; it aims to generate tangible and sustainable improvements in public management.

Santana García noted that the 184 audits performed in 2025 represent a significant increase from the 67 conducted in 2024, marking a growth of 118 additional audited entities. These audits have helped identify recurring structural findings that require priority attention from the audited institutions. These findings serve as critical input for corrective decision-making and institutional strengthening, supported by a dedicated follow-up program to rectify weaknesses.

The Anti-Fraud Unit stands as a strategic pillar within President Abinader's national integrity policy, directly impacting the fight against corruption. Through its functions, the unit detects, investigates, and halts irregular or fraudulent practices within state institutions. It analyzes special audits and implements preventive measures to safeguard public resources and enhance transparency in government management.

The Comptroller's Office has also bolstered its preventive efforts by implementing technological tools. These include the Unified Payment Management System (Sugep), which strengthens control and validation of state payments, and the Internal Control Index (ICI), used to assess the maturity and compliance of internal control systems in public institutions.

Santana García explained that the CGR continues to fortify internal controls across various institutions. New software, 'Denuncia Contraloría' and 'Verifica CGR,' has been made available to the public. In the coming days, another artificial intelligence-driven software, the 'System of Georeferenced Work Fiscalization' (Sifgo), will be launched to provide real-time information on government project investments and their physical and financial progress.

In this context, Santana García affirmed that the Comptroller General's Office comprehensively fulfills its role of auditing, overseeing, alerting, recommending, monitoring, and supporting state institutions, as mandated by Dominican law.

He reiterated that articles 25 and 26 of Law 10-07 establish that the head of each public entity or body bears primary responsibility for the design, implementation, maintenance, and effective functioning of internal control within their institution. Santana García clarified that the existence of Internal Control Units, even with CGR's technical support, does not exempt or substitute the direct responsibility of the highest administrative authority, in accordance with the Basic Internal Control Standards (Nobaci) issued by the CGR. This clear delineation of responsibilities is crucial for a correct understanding of the system and to prevent misinterpretations of the Comptroller's role.

Finally, the National School of Internal Control (ENCI) has solidified its position as a hub for professional growth for CGR staff and other state employees. In 2025 alone, the ENCI conducted 113 technical-professional training events, totaling 843 hours of instruction, impacting 2,449 public servants. These programs have enhanced competencies to address current public administration challenges and contribute to more modern, responsible, and transparent governance.