DepEd forms anti-graft panels

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MANILA Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has ordered the establishment of anti-corruption committees (ACC) in its central, regional and schools division offices in an effort to develop a “culture of zero tolerance” against graft and corruption in the agency.

“The department recognizes that graft and corruption are major obstacles to the realization of the right of all Filipinos and children to access quality basic education,” the DepEd said in its Order No. 007, s. 2022, dated March 4.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said the agency adopted the principle that “a public office is a public trust,” so it supports Project Kasangga: Aksiyon Laban sa Korapsiyon project of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).

The department earlier issued Office Order No. OO-OSEC-2021-029 for the creation of an ACC in the central office, following an agreement with PACC.

To boost the initiatives against corruption, the DepEd released the recent order that will enable the anti-graft panels to help in curbing graft and corruption through policies, programs and advocacy campaigns, as well as to make sure that officials and employees will be held accountable.

The committee in the DepEd central office will be tasked to make a streamlined complaint action center and work with other DepEd offices in doing the investigation of these matters.

Anti-corruption policies

At the regional level, the committee will refer complaints of graft and corruption to proper authorities in the regional and schools division offices.

On the other hand, the division committee will help the regional office and central office in formulating anticorruption policies and also conduct public information campaigns to generate support.

The DepEd said funds would be provided for the operation of the ACCs.

Election task force

The DepEd also announced the establishment of an election task force and operation and monitoring center to oversee teacher and school-related concerns ahead of the May 9 elections.

The task force’s operation and monitoring center will be located at Bulwagan ng Karunungan in the agency’s central office in Pasig City starting 1 p.m. of May 8 until 5 p.m. of May 10.

Undersecretary Alain del Pascua will serve as task force chair while Undersecretary Revsee Escobedo will be the vice chair.

Aside from taking charge of the operation and monitoring center before, during and after the elections, members of the task force will also ensure that teachers are given information, technical and legal assistance as they perform their duties in electoral boards throughout the country.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has also established in February a similar initiative in the form of an election hotline for teachers who will participate as board of election inspectors.

Teachers can report if there would be violations in the provisions of the Election Service Reform Act, compensation concerns and other rights and safety issues as they perform duties before and during the elections.

The ACT election hotline can be accessed through 0961-4215053 and 0967-4461266.

Teacher-poll workers may also send an email to [email protected] or message their Facebook page via facebook.com/actph1982.

ACT secretary general Raymond Basilio said the group would coordinate the concerns with the involved offices and units of the government, including the Commission on Elections and the DepEd.

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