Santos airs satisfaction over SWS survey saying DTI is least corrupt government agency

Trade and Industry Secretary Juan B. Santos aired his satisfaction yesterday following the recent SWS survey declaring the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as one of the least corrupt government agencies.

The 5th SWS Survey of Enterprises on Corruption conducted on small and medium enterprises and large corporations from January 21 to March 15 in five major metropolitan areas showed that 10 percent of the respondents perceived the DTI as the least corrupt along with the Supreme Court and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The SWS poll showed respondents identifying the DTI as one of the government agencies it can trust to bring a complaint for resolution.

"The recent survey is only a concrete confirmation that the DTI is sincere in its efforts to curb corruption in the agency by implementing transparency in its transactions," Santos said.

He added that the DTI is striving to further simplify its business processes and create a business-friendly environment conducive to the growth of businesses.

Santos lauded management and the rank and file employees for its professionalism and integrity in the work place.

"I thank the DTI family for maintaining a professional business culture in the work place. In a global environment, this culture is a vital factor that helps the organization and even the country in keeping stride with international competition whether it be in attracting capital or the shipment of the country’s goods abroad," Santos added.

At the same time, Santos ordered the DTI to review various transactions with the public and identify possible sources of corruption.

He assured that the DTI would "put in place transparency measures or improve processes in these areas to ensure that these areas will not breed corruption."

"Our war on corruption is a continuing effort to present a model bureaucracy and bring back the trust of the public to the government," Santos said.

"By presenting a clean bureaucracy, we improve business confidence which will result to more investments and increased business activities/opportunities, enhancing job creation and income," Santos concluded.