OMB rallies gov't info officers vs graft and corruption
The office of the Ombudsman in Iloilo called on the government information officers of national government agencies and local government units, to be instruments in curbing graft and corrupt practices starting from their respective offices.
Ombudsman Investigation Officer Evangeline Nunal was guest during a special meeting of the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO) in Iloilo, presided over by its vice president Juvy Gaton of the Department of Agriculture.
NunaL said the effort to stop corruption in government begins right where the government employee is, and on how he or she tries to deliver efficient service to the public.
Using the broom and broom sticks in driving her point, Nunal said, the Office of the Ombudsman cannot do it alone but with the help of each and everyone in a collective manner, all over the region, corruption will be minimized.
She also asked the information officers to be vigilant and courageous in stopping acts of graft and corruption whenever and wherever they perceive these to be happening.
Nunal also said that even if not information officers or government employees, but as citizens, it is the duty of every body to join hands in addressing corruption in government.
Nunal added that to make their operations strong, they have also partnered with agencies like the Civil Service Commission, Philippine National Police, Land transportation Office, Commission on Audit and the Philippine Information Agency in implementing projects like Anti-Red Tape, and Operation Red Plate, wherein the latter was able to apprehend about 110 violators all over the regfion.
She said the Regional Information Officers as an entity, are also free to partner with the Ombudsman in the fight against corruption.
The AGIO members expressed their desire to partner with the Ombudsman in the endeavors, but they have to first complete the process of their registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The AGIO has a strength of more or less 70 members including those from the 25 active local government units. (PIA 6/ESS)