DepEd ranks 8th in integrity development plan implementation among 177 government agencies

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) has been ranked eighth by the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) in a field of 177 government agencies audited for its implementation of integrity development action plans.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus expressed pride with the PAGC audit results, saying it was a recognition of the department’s efforts to strengthen good governance to improve their delivery of quality basic education.

“We are very happy to receive this recognition. This shows that DepEd’s thrust of implementing policies that conform to the ethical standard of public service is bearing fruits,” said Lapus. “This boosts the department’s morale and inspires us to do even better as public servants,” Lapus added.

PAGC has cited DepEd under their Integrity Development Action Plan (IDAP) 2009 Awards. DepEd was cited for the first and second quarter of 2009.

The awardees’ rating was based on how the agencies performed anti-graft and corruption measures in compliance with the requirements of IDAP in 2009.

The IDAP 2009 Awards is in line with government efforts to fight graft and corruption in the executive branch. It is composed of 22 “doables” or specific anti-corruption measures which are clustered into strategies of prevention, education, investigation and enforcement, and strategic partnership.

Specifically, prevention includes systems reform to minimize opportunities for graft and corruption while education focuses on values formation, educating public servants on the do’s and don’ts of public service and advocacy to fight the negative perception of the public.

It will be recalled that DepEd was ranked the least corrupt agency and No. 1 in public approval rating in a 2009 Pulse Asia Ulat ng Bayan survey. Lapus was also cited best performing cabinet secretary in the same poll. — Rainier Allan Ronda