COA lauds military store chain as sales grow by P282 million

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Audit (COA) lauded the Armed Forces of the Philippines Commissary and Exchange Service (AFPCES) for boosting its sales by hundreds of millions of pesos last year.

The AFPCES sells discounted goods to soldiers, veterans, and their dependents. It runs 8 convenience stores, 6 drugstores, and two gas stations in Metro Manila, plus 26 outlets in other parts of the country.

“With all its accomplishments, AFPCES has indeed commendably delivered beyond its mandate,” COA said in its audit report on the military unit.

Under general manager Colonel Raul Bautista, the military unit slashed its expenses by P2.6 million, and grew its sales by P282.53 million. From P2.328 billion in sales in 2016, it recorded P2.611 billion in sales in 2017.

COA said all major operating areas of the AFPCES exceeded their target sales for 2017.

The AFPCES also secured a P6.8-million refund from a supplier for returned or damaged medicines.

COA also noted that the military unit was able to deliver groceries to the families of 186 soldiers who died and 436 soldiers who were injured during the Marawi siege. – Rappler.com