The field must be happy after the Department of Education (DepEd) was once again perceived by the public as one of three government agencies considered least corrupt based on the most recent Pulse Asia survey results.
Education Secretary Armin Luistro welcomed this positive rating and attributed the result to the “continuous serious efforts of management to stamp out corruption in all levels of operation.”
Luistro said that DepEd continues to optimize use of the agency’s human and financial resources and move towards zero-corruption. “Our goal is for DepEd to finally be stricken off the list of offices which are considered corrupt,” he stressed.
Through the years, there has been a declining public perception of corruption in DepEd owing to the safeguards and corruption prevention measures initiated during the time of former Secretary Jesli Lapus and further strengthened by the current DepEd chief.
Luistro has strongly emphasized the “no collection” policy in public schools and has consistently pushed for the holding of simple and austere school-related activities such as graduation, Christmas parties and enrollment. “We have worked on the streamlining of operations and training programs and stopped purchases of vehicles and office equipment considered not critical in its operation even in my own office,” he revealed.
To strengthen the agency’s fight against corruption, DepEd has also initiated the signing of an integrity pact with its suppliers, business partners and civil society groups as a concrete step to address corruption both in government and private sector and set up mechanisms to operate business ethically and with integrity. “We also continue to enjoin all division superintendents to hold the same kind of dialogue and integrity pact with local suppliers and partners,” he said.
The pact was signed by Luistro and the representatives of over 60 suppliers including 39 publishers and copyright owners, seven printing companies, three office supplies and equipment companies, two freight forwarders, four school furniture suppliers, two science laboratory equipment companies, three hotels offering meeting venues, two construction materials suppliers, three sports equipment suppliers and one company offering soil testing services.
Luistro said that while government has its own initiatives to address corruption, “those steps cannot succeed without individual and collective commitment from private businesses that deal with government.”
DepEd also continues to be receptive to the participation of NGOs and Civil Society Organizations in the procurement and bidding process to ensure transparency and maximum efficiency in the use of resources.
Aside from the national initiative to curve corruption, the field particularly the teachers and school administrators should take it as inspiration to do more than the ordinary being the very heart of the school system. They should remember that corruption doesn't only involve money and material resources but more importantly time-- one of the primary resources that everybody has no luxury of losing.
Their untiring efforts om the performance of their duties and responsibilities efficiently and effectively will further enhance DepEd's image as the big family of teachers. With an enhanced image, more support and cooperation from various stakeholders is created.
The recent Pulse Asia survey was conducted from February 24 to March 6 and showed Armed Forces of the Philippines as the most corrupt government agency in the country followed by the Philippine National Police, and Department of Public Works and Highways.
Along with DepEd, other leading government agencies that are considered least corrupt by Filipinos include the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Health.
Source: INA HERNANDO-MALIPOT, DepEd Fares Well in Survey, April 2, 2011,The Philippine Star
Education Secretary Armin Luistro welcomed this positive rating and attributed the result to the “continuous serious efforts of management to stamp out corruption in all levels of operation.”
Luistro said that DepEd continues to optimize use of the agency’s human and financial resources and move towards zero-corruption. “Our goal is for DepEd to finally be stricken off the list of offices which are considered corrupt,” he stressed.
Through the years, there has been a declining public perception of corruption in DepEd owing to the safeguards and corruption prevention measures initiated during the time of former Secretary Jesli Lapus and further strengthened by the current DepEd chief.
Luistro has strongly emphasized the “no collection” policy in public schools and has consistently pushed for the holding of simple and austere school-related activities such as graduation, Christmas parties and enrollment. “We have worked on the streamlining of operations and training programs and stopped purchases of vehicles and office equipment considered not critical in its operation even in my own office,” he revealed.
To strengthen the agency’s fight against corruption, DepEd has also initiated the signing of an integrity pact with its suppliers, business partners and civil society groups as a concrete step to address corruption both in government and private sector and set up mechanisms to operate business ethically and with integrity. “We also continue to enjoin all division superintendents to hold the same kind of dialogue and integrity pact with local suppliers and partners,” he said.
The pact was signed by Luistro and the representatives of over 60 suppliers including 39 publishers and copyright owners, seven printing companies, three office supplies and equipment companies, two freight forwarders, four school furniture suppliers, two science laboratory equipment companies, three hotels offering meeting venues, two construction materials suppliers, three sports equipment suppliers and one company offering soil testing services.
Luistro said that while government has its own initiatives to address corruption, “those steps cannot succeed without individual and collective commitment from private businesses that deal with government.”
DepEd also continues to be receptive to the participation of NGOs and Civil Society Organizations in the procurement and bidding process to ensure transparency and maximum efficiency in the use of resources.
Aside from the national initiative to curve corruption, the field particularly the teachers and school administrators should take it as inspiration to do more than the ordinary being the very heart of the school system. They should remember that corruption doesn't only involve money and material resources but more importantly time-- one of the primary resources that everybody has no luxury of losing.
Their untiring efforts om the performance of their duties and responsibilities efficiently and effectively will further enhance DepEd's image as the big family of teachers. With an enhanced image, more support and cooperation from various stakeholders is created.
The recent Pulse Asia survey was conducted from February 24 to March 6 and showed Armed Forces of the Philippines as the most corrupt government agency in the country followed by the Philippine National Police, and Department of Public Works and Highways.
Along with DepEd, other leading government agencies that are considered least corrupt by Filipinos include the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Health.
Source: INA HERNANDO-MALIPOT, DepEd Fares Well in Survey, April 2, 2011,The Philippine Star
