Tugade to Government Employees: Be Free from Corruption and Poor Sense of Service

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade went back to his native Cagayan to commemorate the country’s 119th Independence Day, and took the opportunity to meet with local transportation officials, inspect the airport, and lecture about corruption.

Tugade, who came with Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Edgar Galvante and some DOTr officials, was welcomed by Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba and other local officials. In his speech, Tugade outlined modern connotations and significance of independence.

“Independence Day is a commemoration, but every day is a celebration of Independence,” Tugade said. “Sa araw-araw na pamumuhay ay maaaring makamit ng isang indibidwal ang kaniyang kalayaan maging sa pinaka-simpleng pamamaraan na kapaki-pakinabang sa pangkalahatan.”

He went on to enumerate what it really takes to be free during these times. Among them is to stop tolerating procrastination, laziness, and narrow-mindedness and being contented with mediocre results and. Tugade also asked everyone to stop the blame game especially among administrations, which is a source of division in society.

“Ngayon na ang panahon upang palayain natin ang ating mga kaisipan sa nakaugaliang sisihan. Tama na ang turuan! Ang tanong nga sa akin ng ilan: “Bakit hindi natapos ang mga proyekto noong nakaraang pamunuan?” Ang sagot ko: “Huwag ninyo akong tanungin ng ganyan. Tanungin niyo ako kung paano at kailan ko tatapusin ‘yan,” Tugade said.

Tugade also urged government employees to free themselves of a corrupt system and a poor sense of public service. He reiterated this during a meeting with local officials from the LTO, Philippine Coast Guard, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and Maritime Industry Authority.


The transportation chief ended his Independence Day visit with an inspection of the Tuguegarao and Lallo airports in Cagayan. He directed CAAP officials to equip the Tuguegarao airport with night landing capabilities this year to allow it to accommodate flights after sunset.