Bong Go

Bong Go hails transparency in gov’t COVID-19 policy

May 30, 2021 People's Tonight 625 views

Bong GoSENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go commended the findings of a recent report by the Washington-based International Budget Partnership on the transparency of the COVID-19 fiscal policy responses undertaken by 120 countries from March to September 2020.

The report found that the Philippines achieved an ‘adequate’ level of accountability in its introduction and implementation of the fiscal measures under Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. Notably, the Philippines was one of only four countries that were found to be sufficiently transparent in its fiscal response, alongside Australia, Norway and Peru.

“I welcome the findings of the International Budget Partnership. Ipinapakita lamang nito na maski ang ibang bansa ay nakikita ang malinis na pamamalakad ni Pangulong Duterte, lalung lalo na sa panahon ngayon kung saan maraming Pilipino ang nangangailangan ng tulong,” emphasized Go, who is also chairman of the Senate Committee on Health.

In its report entitled ‘Managing COVID Funds: The Accountability Gap’, the IBP found more than two-thirds of the countries surveyed provided only limited or minimal levels of accountability in the implementation of their fiscal response.

As examples of good practices in the Philippines, the report highlighted the provisions included in Bayanihan 1 which directed the Executive branch to submit weekly reports of its response actions to the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee monitoring its implementation; as well as the results-based assessment of the Act undertaken by the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department. The report also noted the country’s Dagyaw 2020: Open Government Virtual Town Hall Meetings, a series of public consultations by government and non-government organisations, to ensure continuing public dialogues on government response policies during the COVID-19 crisis.

Meanwhile, Go also called on all concerned agencies to efficiently carry out the provisions of the subsequent Bayanihan to Recover as One Act and other stimulus measures in order to maintain the country’s standards of accountability and transparency. He especially reminded them to ensure that the government’s financial assistance is received by the sectors that have been especially hard hit by the ongoing crisis.

“In our zero-tolerance policy against corruption, there are no sacred cows as we demand full accountability from our public servants. The people must also know where their money is going and how it is being used. That is why every peso should be accounted for and used solely for public service,” said Go.

“Every peso counts, especially in times of crises. To the implementing agencies, make sure you properly spend public funds and implement programs that will benefit the poor and vulnerable sectors,” he explained.

“Siguraduhin natin na magagamit ang pera ng bayan ng tama. Siguraduhin natin na makakarating ang tulong sa pinaka-nangangailangan at pinaka-apektado. At siguraduhin natin na walang pinipiling oras ang ating pagtulong at pagserbisyo sa ating mga kababayan,” added Go.

As the prudent use of public funds is not a function of the government alone, Go called on all Filipinos to share in the responsibility of building integrity in government and ensure that the good practices that are already taking place are recognized and supported.

“I am urging each Filipino to report any anomaly they see in the government. In eliminating corruption in the country, it must involve the entire nation. Your reports as citizens will help authorities conduct accurate fact-finding inquiries, lifestyle checks and other investigative procedures,” said Go.

“I reiterate my appeal to our agencies and my fellow public servants to shape up, because our people deserve nothing less than the best kind of service from a government that puts the welfare and interests of every Filipino first before their own,” he appealed.

In August 2020, the Senator urged President Duterte to create an inter-agency Task Force to investigate the issues surrounding the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation following allegations of corruption.

He also helped establish the Truth and Justice Coalition in cooperation with the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission while serving as the Special Assistant to the President. The Coalition was created to provide the private sector an avenue to join in the government’s campaign against graft and corruption.

“We simply cannot rely on the leadership alone to cleanse our ranks. We need a ‘whole-of-government’ approach to effectively stamp out corruption. Kung paano tayo nagbabayanihan ngayon para labanan ang pandemya, magkaisa rin dapat tayo para puksain ang sakit na korapsyon sa ating sistema,” he ended.

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