The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) yesterday signed a pledge of cooperation to combat corruption within the agency, in partnership with the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).
DPWH officials nationwide headed by Secretary Mark Villar signed a pledge of cooperation and Oath of Honesty Manifesto to abide by President Duterte’s call to weed out corruption in government.
“…we will continue to implement stringent action against perceived corruption in the Department, to safeguard people’s money, and that (any) wrongdoing goes punished,” said Villar at the signing.
When Villar assumed office in 2016, major anti-graft and corruption policies and programs were implemented which include setting up a system that requires audit in all technical process of projects, and requiring geotagged photo monitoring of DPWH projects before project implementation, upon mobilization, monthly progress and completion.
A document tracking system was also established for civil works, consulting services and procurement of goods in all DPWH offices nationwide which allows online monitoring of contractors’, consultants’ and suppliers’ transactions.
DPWH said it also issued policies allowing contractors to apply and update their profile online, as well as submit biddings online to further reduce human intervention and corruption probability.
DPWH added it strengthened the established program that allowed observers and engagement of accredited civil society organizations as monitors of the proceedings, and intensified its drive against erring contractors through blacklisting for violating government contracts and penalizing them by preventing them from participating in government contracts.
In light of recent corruption reports, the DPWH Task Force Against Graft and Corruption was created to investigate anomalies allegedly perpetrated by officials and/or employees of the agency, based on valid complaints.
Several office heads reportedly involved in corrupt practices were already relieved from their posts, while reshuffle or reassignment was also implemented to ensure “no more business as usual,” DPWH said.
DPWH and PACC discussed matters relative to the cooperation between the two agencies covering the speedy detection, prosecution and resolution of graft and corruption cases within DPWH.
The online event, held all over the country via Zoom, was attended by members of the DPWH management committee as well as the regional, bureau, project and service directors and district engineers.
