Local execs now less corrupt — poll

Corruption among local government officials has seen a decline in Metro Manila over the last two years, according to a survey of businesses by respected pollster Social Weather Stations (SWS) for the year.

A survey of 701 companies in Metro Manila, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao and Iligan cities and the provinces of Batangas, Cavite and Laguna showed that 36 percent of these companies’ managers were asked for a bribe concerning the issuance of local government permits and licenses.

Thirty percent were asked for bribes concerning taxes, 28 percent national government permits and licenses, 21 percent in connection with imports, 18 percent in collecting receivables from government, 16 percent concerning supplying government with goods and services, and 10 percent availment of government incentives.

The SWS survey also showed that bribery has declined in Metro Manila in the past two years: 55 percent in 2000, 46 percent in 2004 and 45 percent for this year.

In Davao, however, the survey showed that the situation there has become worse with 39 percent of managers saying they were asked for a bribe for permits and licenses, up from 26 percent in 2004.