Friday, February 1, 2013

PNoy highlights anti-corruption efforts in 5th GOPAC conference


From the Informations of Philippine Informations Agency - PIA
links: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=231359615017 

PNoy highlights anti-corruption efforts in 5th GOPAC conference

By Susan G. De Leon
Thursday 31st of January 2013

QUEZON CITY, Jan 31 (PIA) --President Benigno Aquino III highlighted government efforts to eradicate corruption in the country during the 5th International Conference of the Global organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC).

In his keynote speech, Aquino said that while policy formulation can at times be a complex matter, the overarching idea behind the government’s efforts is simply doing the right thing.

The President related the success of the Department of Public Works & Highways in the recent major infrastructure project.

“Initially, we were informed that this major infrastructure project will cost P694 million. But just by following the right bidding procedures, and after thorough negotiations, we were able to get the project done for P430 million. It was done with the same quality, and they even finished a hundred days early,” the President said.

Aquino also said that other key agencies of the government such the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Technical Educational Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have established internal mechanisms to police themselves, to respond to administrative complaints, and to make certain that they are fulfilling their mandate in an efficient manner.

The President also cited the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for taking extra care of the taxpayers money.

“For the past two years, they have been using the zero-base budgeting system—a system that makes certain that we get more bang for our buck, rather than rehashing and funding the same old projects, regardless of whether they work or not—to ensure that the money our agencies spend on their projects will yield the best equivalent benefit to our countrymen,” the President said.

Aquino said that his administration has also been conducting groundbreaking work in terms of transparency.

“Our Budget Department has ordered the disclosure of budget information on the websites of all national departments and agencies. Our Interior and Local Government Department has also adopted a full disclosure policy, requiring all local government units to disclose their financial activities. The Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Finance have likewise launched websites called Budget ng Bayan and Pera Ng Bayan, respectively,” the President said.

Citizens can access information about how the government is spending their money on the Budget ng Bayan and Pera ng Bayan websites.

They can also report corrupt officials from the DOF and its attached agencies thur these websites.

Aquino said that the problem of corruption must be approached strategically and always with the long-term in mind.

“Reforms cannot be mere blips in the radar—they must usher in an enduring mainstream of good, honest governance,” Aquino said.

The Philippines has been an active member of the GOPAC for many years, and was instrumental in the establishment of Southeast Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEAPAC) that was established in Manila in 2005 with the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam as members. (PIA-NCR/RJB/SDL)















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