In line with its advocacy drive to eliminate corruption in government, the Bantay-Korapsyon National Capital Region (BK-NCR), together with counterparts from Region IV-A CALABARZON, the MIMAROPA Region, and Region V Bicol simultaneously conducted a hybrid webinar titled “#AkysonKontraKorapsyon: Reinforcing Public Accountability Through Citizen Participation” on December 9, 2022 at the Florentino Torres High School. The activity was made available via Zoom Teleconferencing and livestreamed through the DILG-NCR official Facebook page.
The webinar was participated in by sixty-five (65) Civil Society Organization (CSOs), thirty-four (34) Snagguniang Kabataan members, and seventeen (17) DILG-NCR Field Office Focal Persons. Over 130 CSOs from participating regions also attended the event.
In her opening speech, DILG-NCR Assistant Regional Director Atty. Ana Lyn R. Baltazar-Cortez, CESO V stressed the importance of accountability among public servants, saying, “isang bokasyon ang paglilingkod sa bayan na nangangailangan ng pinakamataas na antas ng karangalan at kahusayan. Bilang mga kawani ng pamahalaan, tayo ay inaasahan na patuloy na isabuhay ang ating mga sinumpaang tungkulin at maging accountable o managutan sa taong-bayan.”
Being the first venue for the drive, Mr. Rogelio Tag-Ay, Officer-in-Charge of Florentino Torres High School headed by Principal Ma. Pura Talattad, expressed his gratitude for choosing the 97-year old school to host this anti-corruption drive in the NCR. Mr. Tag-Ay also stated that this historic activity will be documented in their school papers as the fight against corruption is of great significance especially to the student body of Florentino Torres High School.
Expounding on existing statutes dealing with corruption, one of the resource persons, Judge Marlo B. Capanilla, Presiding Judge of Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 83, Caloocan City, discussed the Crimes Committed By Public Officers under Act 3815 or the Revised Penal Code and Republic Act No. 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Judge Campanilla likewise cited cases over which he presided as trial judge to further guide the participants on the subject matter more comprehensively.
The next speaker, Senior State Solicitor Atty. Gerald P. Sotto, an expert on the subject of corruption and good governance, delved on the concept of participatory governance. “Education through the communities and CSOs” being one of BK’s core strategies, Atty. Sotto proceeded to underscore the crucial role CSOs and the youth play in furthering people-centric and self-reliant local government units.
Atty. Sotto also expounded on Republic Act No. 9184 or the Procurement Law which prescribes competitive bidding as the principal mode of procurement of goods and services by the government as well as alternative modes of procurement allowed under the law, when circumstances warrant. Another highlight of this year’s #AksyonKontraKorapsyon is the conduct of various interactive activities such as the Quiz Bee Competition, Slogan Making and Poetry Writing Contest which were actively and enthusiastically received by the attendees.
In closing, DILG Manila Field Office City Director John A. Visca, CESO V, reiterated that “as public servants, it is expected of us to act with the highest level of integrity and diligence. And CSOs, the youth and our communities are tasked to keep the government officers and employees in check to ensure that we are acting within the scope of our sworn responsibilities.”
The launching of #AksyonKontraKorapsyon in the City of Manila is the initial installment of BK-NCR’s efforts to expand its anti-corruption initiatives in the Region.