Friday, March 14, 2014

Roxas asks Local Executives to ensure "Daang Matuwid" in Governance March 7, 2014


DILG Central News


Roxas asks Local Executives to ensure "Daang Matuwid" in Governance March 7, 2014

Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas today called on the country’s local executives to continue implementing reforms related to good governance in provincial, city and municipal governments in order for them to secure more support from the national government.

Roxas noted that the national government remain committed to providing support to local government units following the “Daang Matuwid” policy of the Aquino administration through additional funds for local program and projects.

He stressed, however, that the national government would not hesitate to exercise its power to punish local executives who may be found guilty of using their positions to enrich themselves.

“Patuloy tayong nakakatanggap ng report na dumarami na ang mga gobernador, mayor at konsehal na nagpapatupad ng tuwid na daan sa lokal na pamahalaan. Asahan nila na susuklian ng pamahalaan ang katapatan nila sa serbisyo sa pamamagitan ng dagdag na pondo para sa kanilang mga programa,” Roxas said.

“Tinatawagan ko naman ang pansin ng ilang mga lokal na lider na nananatili sa baluktot na daan: hindi magdadalawang-isip ang pamahalaan na gamitin ang lahat ng kapangyarihan nito para usigin ang mga umaabuso sa puwesto,” he added.

Roxas issued the statement following a report from the Office of the Ombudsman that local government units (LGUs) again topped last year’s list of government agencies with the most number of Ombudsman cases filed against one of their officers or employees.

In a report submitted by the Ombudsman’s Finance and Management Information Office (FMIO), a total of 2,014 cases were filed against local government officials.

The office noted, however, that there has been a considerable drop in the number of cases filed beginning 2011.In 2011, a total of 3,852 cases were filed against LGU officials and this figure once again dropped in 2012 with a total of 2,669 cases.

Roxas noted that although reforms in good governance are now taking roots in local government level, the country’s local executives must not let their guard down and continue the campaign to weed out corrupt officials and employees within their ranks.
“Magandang balita na nababawasan na ang mga reklamo laban sa mga tiwaling opisyal at empleyado sa local government. Pero kailangang ituloy ang laban kontra katiwalian hanggang sa tuluyan nang masugpo ang problemang ito,” he pointed out.

He cited the need for governors and mayors to continue complying with the
Full Disclosure Policy (FDP) of the DILG, which allows the general public access to relevant information on local budgets, finances, bids and public offerings.

Roxas noted that a total of 1,432 LGUs are now complying with the DILG’s directive, which aims to promote local governance reform towards participation, accountability, responsiveness and transparency.

“A total of 72 provinces, 137 cities and 1,323 municipalities nationwide now continuously disclose to their constituents and the general public their annual budget reports, annual procurement plans, statement of debt services, statement of receipts and expenditures, and quarterly statement of cash flow through various media,” he said.

Some LGUs post these statements through their websites, local publications, and in at least 3 conspicuous places.

In addition, the DILG recently launched the Full disclosure Policy Portal at fdpp.dilg.gov.ph in 2012.

The DILG also linked arms with several academic institutions and people’s organization to establish mechanism on how the LGU reports can be utilized, ensuring as well people’s participation in making such information more useful to the LGUs themselves and for policy makers as well.

On the other hand, non-compliance with the Memorandum Circular may be viewed as not in conformity with the norms on good governance and will be dealt with in accordance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations.

Under the full disclosure policy, local chief executives are directed to post the following documents in conspicuous places within public buildings in the locality, or in print media in the community of general circulation and in their websites.

Roxas explained that the FDP aims promote honest, transparent, and orderly management of public funds; increase the people's awareness of the available public funds and the allocated amount for development projects in their localities; help minimize, if not totally prevent corruption and misuse of public funds.

“The policy doesn’t only promote transparency and accountability in local governance, but brings back the trust and confidence of the people to our elected public officials,” Roxas said.




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