Simultaneous declaration of the Integrity Pledge and signing of the Manifesto on the Pledge of Cooperation and Oath of Honesty

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade and Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Chairman Greco Belgica led the simultaneous declaration of the Integrity Pledge and signing of the Manifesto on the Pledge of Cooperation and Oath of Honesty as a manifestation of reaffirming the commitment of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its attached agencies to fight corruption in the government.

More than a thousand officials and employees of the DOTr and its four sectors - Aviation, Railways, Road Transport, and Maritime – took part in the nationwide simultaneous virtual oath-taking and signing ceremony before the PACC today, 28 April 2021.

In his message, Secretary Tugade recalled that it was on December 14, 2016, when the entire DOTr first signed the commitment and took an oath to uphold ethical practice and good governance through the Integrity Pledge.

The Transportation Chief stressed that the Integrity Pledge and the signing the Manifesto will remind the entire DOTr workforce of the essence of public service and on the performance of duty with utmost diligence, honesty, and excellence.

“Hangarin ko na magbigay ng paalala. Paalala na 'wag tayong makalimot sa ating panunumpa na hindi tayo magiging corrupt. Ngayon, sasabihin muli natin sa pagtatapos ng ating katungkulan sa gobyerno, tayo ay hindi magiging corrupt. Tayo ay mananatiling mandirigma laban sa korapsyon. Tayo ay mananatiling isang 'gladiator' laban sa korapsyon,” Tugade stressed.

Secretary Tugade added that efforts and initiatives of the DOTr, including its fight against corruption, were intensified despite the pandemic.

“Sa ating pakikibaka laban sa pandemiya, dapat walang kurakot, dapat walang magsasamantala, dapat walang kupit, dapat ang atin lang iniisip ay kapakanan ng bayan at ang kapakanan ng tao. Pandemiya man o hindi, kailangan yung kapakanan ng tao ay mananatiling isang commitment—isang covenant sa sambayanan,” Tugade remarked.

Meanwhile, Tugade affirmed to PACC Chairman Greco Belgica that the DOTr will remain uncompromising when it comes to corruption.

DOTr Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Paul Reinier Yebra reported that based on the proceedings of the agency’s Investigation Security and Law Enforcement Staff (ISLES), from March 2019 to 27 February 2021, corruption-related cases led to the dismissal of 149 DOTr personnel and the suspension of 20 others. He added that one case was even referred to the PACC.

Additionally, DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said the agency follows a strict budget utilization and processing of big-ticket infrastructure projects, in coordination with development partners.

As for the DOTr attached agencies, LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III emphasized that the granting of a franchise is free. He also appealed to stakeholders to report any incident concerning the illegal acquisition of vehicle franchises.

For the LTO, Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante said they have eased the processes of getting a driver’s license and vehicle registration. He likewise urged the public not to deal with “fixers.”

Meanwhile, Secretary Tugade challenged officials and employees of the DOTr and its attached agencies to fulfill the public's high expectations from the government.

“To my fellow servants in government, remember that you are privileged to work for the people, with the people, and because of the people. Because of this, the expectations of people in you, on the discharge of our responsibilities are high. We have to reach out to this commitment. We have to reach out to the expectations of the people na tayo ay gaganap ng ating katungkulan, walang katarantaduhan, walang pagnanakaw, walang pagsasamantala,” Tugade said.

For his part, PACC Chairman Greco Belgica commended Secretary Tugade for the initiative as this serves as an example for other agencies to follow.

“Nais ko pong bigyan ng special na pagbati si Secretary Tugade, at itong Department, dahil kayo po ang unang nagpresenta ng inyong sarili para sumaloob sa gawain pong ito. Sana tularan kayo ng iba pang mga opisina ng gobyerno,” Chairman Belgica said

“This signing of the Manifesto of Cooperation and Oath of Honesty is a solid testimony of your commitment to get rid of corrupt practices and unscrupulous government workers in the Transportation Department,” Belgica added.

MIAA remits whopping P13.9B dividends to national government from 2016-2019

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) performed an impressive feat after remitting P13.9 billion in dividends to the National Government (NG) from 2016 to 2019, outshining its total remittances in the last 20 years prior to the Duterte Administration.

Below are the exact comparative figures of MIAA’s remitted dividends:

*1996 - 2015 : P11,149,527,394.99*

*2016 - 2019 : P13,900,904,299.33*

It was in 2018 that MIAA made its record-breaking fiscal performance when it remitted P3.42 billion in dividends to the NG.

The MIAA’s 2018 dividend payment to the national coffers was the highest in MIAA history, exceeding by more than 50% its 2017 remittance of P2.2 billion which was then the highest recorded dividend payment made by the agency in the last two decades.

The MIAA is mandated to remit at least 50% of its annual net income to the NG after it was granted fiscal autonomy two decades ago.

Since the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016, the MIAA dividend payments have significantly increased.

With its continuing strong fiscal performance, the MIAA solidifies its position in the “Billionaire’s Club,” an elite circle of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) that contributing billions of pesos in dividends to the NG.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade commended the MIAA for its stellar fiscal performance.

“MIAA’s performance in four years show consistent good fiscal management. My congratulations to the men and women of the MIAA, with the leadership of GM Ed Monreal, for your sterling numbers. The Filipino people stand to benefit from your good work,” Secretary Tugade said.

For his part, MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal urged the men and women serving the country’s premier gateway to continue striving to further improve fiscal management and allocation of resources to ensure effective and efficient delivery of airport services at the NAIA.

“The MIAA remains committed in bettering its fiscal management, as we also work on improving the infrastructure and operations of the NAIA. Ultimately, our fiscal performance should resonate in our efforts in making each airport passenger satisfied beyond expectations,” GM Monreal said.

The airport chief also thanked Secretary Tugade for instilling in all attached agencies the central directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to the DOTr to make the Filipino life comfortable through better operational management, transformational initiatives, and infrastructure spending.

“Through the guidance of our strong-willed Secretary Tugade, we push ourselves to achieve higher standards of public service. Sec. Art would hammer it on us that as public servants, it is our duty to serve our countrymen with excellence and efficiency. Our people deserve better fiscal management of government operations, so services become better, too, for the comfort of the Filipino,” GM Monreal added.

DOST-SEI holds online Exit Conference for Graduating Scholars

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) hosted its graduating scholars in a half-day online exit conference last March 26 to remind them of the true essence of being national science scholars.

The event was done online for the first time, and was attended by scholars from all over the country. A total of 703 participants composed of graduating undergraduate scholars; guest speakers; university representatives; and DOST officials convened for the activity.

The conference, headlined by the theme “Renewing S&T Scholars Commitment to the Filipino People in the New Normal,” featured talks from government agencies and notable scholar-graduates to prepare attendees on life after graduation.

In her Welcome Remarks, SEI Director Josette T. Biyo expressed hope that the talks will ignite among scholars the desire to serve the country and that the service obligation turn to something they are “willing to do rather than supposed to do.” She likewise congratulated them for their perseverance, consistency and dedication to reach the milestone and gave assurance that SEI shall continue to root for them.

DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, meanwhile, spoke proudly of producing not only experts but also patriotic scholars, noting those who started volunteer initiatives in the COVID-19 relief in their respective regions.

“We’re confident that as DOST Scholars, you are sure to leave imprints in your work wherever you may go,” said the DOST chief.

Succeeding talks from DOST-SEI reminded the scholars of their scholarship obligations as well as introduced local and international Graduate Scholarship opportunities available for those wanting advanced degrees. Department of Education’s (DepEd) Ruby Chanda Crisostomo also briefed attendees on DepEd’s Hiring Arrangements for RA 10612/RA 7687 Scholars, while Department of Labor of Employment–National Capital Region’s Ryan Roberto Delos Reyes described the current labor market and presented insights on job application in the new normal.

Concluding the conference was Dr. Jose Ernie Lope, Batch 1991 DOST-SEI Merit scholar and now Professor at the Institute of Mathematics of the University of the Philippines – Diliman, who shared his inspiring journey from being a DOST scholar to now being one of the country’s pillars in mathematics education