DepEd beefs up on good governance

Manila (19 September) — The Department of Education (DepEd) continues to strengthen its good governance efforts as some 7,800 teaching and non-teaching staff completed anti-graft and corruption seminars in four regions recently.

“Just as we demand accountability and honesty from others, so should we assess ourselves and strive to be law-abiding citizens,” said DepEd chief Jesli Lapus. He added the topics were timely and relevant for DepEd officials in performing their duties as public officials.

It may be noted that the DepEd recently ranked number one least corrupt agency and number one in public approval rating in a 2009 Pulse Asia Ulat ng Bayan national survey. Secretary Lapus was also voted best performing cabinet secretary in the same poll.

A two-day Anti-Graft and Corruption Seminar was conducted by the Council for the Restoration of Filipino Values (CRFV) for various government agencies. It is pursuant to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s on-going thrust for good governance and campaign against graft and corruption.

CRFV held seminars for Regions I, II, III, and IX including school divisions and districts from January to July 2009. Anti-graft and corruption seminars are slated soon for Region I, IVA, IVB and VI.

Lapus urges participants to, “walk out of the seminars with a plan to, not only spread these good values by word of mouth but to aggressively live them as well.”

According to Nenita Olairez, Education Supervisor II, Elementary Education Division, “It boosted morale, served as guide and inspired us in carrying out our tasks as public servants.”

“The seminar reminded us not only of our rights and privileges, but also our duties, limitations and responsibilities,” shared Marlene Castillo, an elementary school principal.

Last year, Lapus was conferred the Manuel L. Quezon Good Governance Award for his exemplary management skills and leadership that saw the Department of Education registering marked efficiency in resource mobilization as well as improving performance of public school students in national tests.

The award was bestowed by the Good Citizenship Movement during the Joint Congress of the Federation of Catholic Schools’ Alumni Association. The movement comprises 200 non-government organizations nationwide. Other awardees in 2008 were Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando and SM Prime Holdings President Teresita Coson.

CRFV enjoins all sectors of the government, including officials and employees, to actively participate in eradicating graft and corruption practices. (DepEd)