Metro gov’ts sign transparency accord

MANILA, Philippines—Seventeen local government units in Metro Manila reiterated their commitment to the full disclosure policy of the Aquino administration by signing  a covenant which binds them to practices that aim to prevent graft and corruption.

The full disclosure policy, which is being implemented by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, requires LGUs to post their budgets, finances and bids on the Commission on Audit Web site, general-circulation newspapers, and other forms of media, in a bid to promote transparency in government transactions.

The policy is in line with President Benigno Aquino’s “tuwid na daan,” which highlights the accountability of government officials in the performance of their duties.

“As a local government unit, Marikina strongly believes and adheres to transparency, accountability and performance as core values to achieving good governance,” Marikina Mayor Del de Guzman, host to the covenant-signing held at Sentrong Pangkultura in Barangay Sta. Elena in Marikina City recently, said.

The covenant was also signed by Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian of Valenzuela City, Mayor Antonino Calixto of Pasay City, Mayor Jaime Medina of Pateros, and Mayor John Reynald Tiangco of Navotas.

The cities of Manila, Caloocan, Malabon, Pasig, Parañaque, Mandaluyong, Quezon, Makati, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, and San Juan also sent their representatives to the event.