Taguig city: Officials of an industry group on Thursday expressed optimism regarding government measures to address corruption, citing the ongoing investigations against individuals and firms involved in anomalous flood control projects. In a briefing in Taguig City, Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) chairperson Elizabeth Lee highlighted President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s decision to appoint Secretary Vince Dizon to head the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno to lead the Bureau of Customs (BOC), noting that these decisions are gaining traction.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lee pointed out that the ongoing investigations and measures targeting erring government officials and private individuals, along with efforts to scrutinize luxury vehicles, are interconnected. She emphasized that these actions send a strong signal to the business community that progress is being made and that positive changes are on the horizon.
Addressing the issue of smuggling, Lee noted that it significantly impacts local manufacturers and that any measures to combat it will aid the industry sector in not only surviving but thriving. During the same briefing, FPI chairperson emeritus Jesus Aranza mentioned that industry stakeholders have been collaborating with the government to tackle these issues. He observed a change in the government's responsiveness, suggesting that conditions might improve.
To further address anomalies, the group emphasized the importance of institutionalizing processes for the BOC and DPWH. This includes limiting 'bad actors' and embedding transparent, standardized workflows and accountability mechanisms into daily operations to minimize opportunities for corruption or inefficiency.
Additional proposed measures include digital automation, regular audits, whistleblower protections, creating secure channels for reporting misconduct, and ensuring anonymity and protection for whistleblowers. The group stated that these measures can cultivate a culture of accountability and transparency, thereby reducing the influence of bad actors.
