DILG, Ombudsman ink agreement to fight corruption

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has signed an agreement with the Office of the Ombudsman that seeks to address corruption in local government units.

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo said yesterday he and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales have signed a memorandum of agreement that called for the harmonization of the anti-corruption programs of their agencies.

Robredo said corruption in local government units (LGUs) hinders the quality of public service, economic development and the investment climate.

He said corruption in LGUs is quickly felt since local officials are directly dealing with the people.

“We have agreed to work together in promoting good governance in the LGUs by harmonizing our respective reform programs,” Robredo said in a statement.

He said the partnership would lead to the creation of measures that could prevent corruption in the LGUs.

According to Robredo, the Ombudsman’s Integrity Development Review (IDR) program would be matched with the DILG’s Local Governance Performance Management System and Seal of Good Housekeeping programs.

The IDR evaluates the sufficiency of corruption safeguards and corruption vulnerabilities within an agency’s systems.

On the other hand, the Local Governance Performance Management System is a self-assessment and development tool that helps LGUs determine their progress in various indicators.

The Seal of Good Housekeeping is an award program that recognizes the performance of LGU based on pre-determined performance indicators. Local government units that performed well in these indicators would be eligible to tap the Performance Challenge Fund.

Robredo said they would integrate the indicators of the IDR, the Local Governance Performance Management System and the Seal of Good Housekeeping in stepping up anti-corruption efforts.  –Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star)