Default Thumbnail

DOTr gets top anti-corruption award from PACC

March 12, 2022 Jun I. Legaspi 638 views

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) was conferred the Anti-Corruption Committee Gold Excellence Award from the PACC (Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission), during the celebration of the 4th anniversary of the commission, which was held virtually Friday, March 11, 2022.

The award aims to honor the agency’s continuing efforts in fortifying anti-corruption systems and processes, in furtherance of the resolute campaign of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for good governance and public accountability, and as manifested by the agency’s achievements as PACC’s partner agency under “Project Kasangga”.

During the event, DOTr Undersecretary Artemio Tuazon Jr. delivered, on behalf of Secretary Art Tugade, a succinct yet dynamic message about the DOTr’s unwavering efforts in championing transparency, honest and good public service, and governance.

“The highest interest ay ang interest ng tao at ng bayan. Ang DOTr ay mananatili ninyong kasangga laban sa korapsyon. Para sa mamamayan at para sa Republika,” Usec. Tuazon underscored.

He likewise remarked, “Since we took over in mid-2016, the Department of Transportation has been uncompromising in its drive to wipe out corruption within its ranks. Since day 1, we have enforced necessary mechanisms to eradicate malpractices and uphold the agency’s integrity. We took radical steps to exercise transparency and accountability and promote ease of doing business. Wala din ‘ho tayong sinasanto. Dito sa Kagawaran ng Transportasyon, subukan mong gumawa ng kalokohan, may kahahantungan ka. In fact, we have already dismissed more than 200 and suspended 43 officials and employees, and several cases were referred to the PACC.”

“Up to this day, we have not shown any sign of backing off from our goal. We will continue to join our beloved President Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in his anti-corruption crusade. Indeed, we must put more effort into empowering public servants as vanguards of truth and good governance,” he further added.

Moreover, Usec. Tuazon read Sec. Tugade’s commendation for the PACC, “I wish to commend your unrelenting drive and commitment to combat an extremely difficult enemy. While it is painfully obvious that corruption is not a new problem, you have proven and continue to enforce pioneering ways to eradicate corruption in the government.”

The DOTr, under the strong-willed leadership of Sec. Art Tugade, fully supports the government’s drive to stamp out corruption.

Since 2016, Tugade has initiated and spearheaded various reforms, such as the stringent adherence to the “No Gift” policy, and the “One-Strike” Policy and termination of employees proven to be involved in corruption cases.

In addition, bidding processes for the numerous projects of the DOTr have been live-streamed and shared in DOTr’s Facebook account for transparency.

DOTr’s quality management of its procurement processes through public bidding led the agency to achieve an ISO Certification. Moreover, the DOTr has been recognized as one of the top-performing and most requested executive departments in the Freedom of Information recognition program, that champions transparency and accountability through providing the public with accurate, comprehensive, and timely information, the DOTr was among the first government agencies to enroll all of its attached agencies and offices to the e-FOI portal.

These are the reforms that have inculcated a culture of honesty and good governance in the transportation department.

AUTHOR PROFILE