PAGC sets up course for young graftbusters

To ensure that the government’s anti-corruption efforts will continue beyond the term of President Arroyo in 2010, the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) is training a new breed of graftbusters and institutionalizing this career program under its so-called “Graduate Certificate Course in Corruption Prevention.”

PAGC head Constancia de Guzman said 26 scholars from at least 15 government agencies began training under the program last month. The course ends in March next year.

“This 2008 class is actually the second batch after the pilot run last year,” De Guzman said.

The course was conceptualized by the Development Academy of the Philippines on the request of the PAGC, which perfected the program based on inputs from the previous scholars and the lessons learned from the pilot run.

The scholars will earn masteral units after completing the course whose thesis involves the design and implementation of a Corruption Prevention Action Project (CPAP) in their respective government agencies within the curriculum period.

“The CPAP should focus on at least one area in the scholar’s agency that is vulnerable to corruption and must include a reform initiative that fully addresses the problem,” De Guzman said.

To perpetuate the program, the PAGC is pursuing the signing of an agreement with the Association of Schools of Public Administrations in the Philippines (ASPAP) for the inclusion of this anti-graft graduate course in the public administration curricula of its members.

“With ASPAP having member-schools all over the country, this tie-up will ensure the program’s nationwide implementation and sustainability even beyond the expiration of the PAGC’s term in 2010,” De Guzman said.

At the same time, the PAGC is studying the creation of a plantilla position for a “corruption-prevention specialist” in every government agency, wherein the completion of the course is a basic requirement of the job. 

The result of the study will be submitted to the Civil Service Commission, the central personnel office of the government.

“This (plantilla position) will be an added incentive for the scholars and will further help institutionalize the program,” De Guzman added.

The program aims to provide the necessary knowledge and skills in effectively implementing corruption prevention projects, form an “integrity network” of professionals who will work intensely for a common cause, and establish a venue for focused development of anti-graft plans away from the pressures of the office and with sufficient technical support.