Even one percent of corruption should not be tolerated, both by the government and the private sector, if only to give the country a chance to develop into a progressive nation as envisioned by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said.
Aliling, in his speech during a housing summit organized by the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP) Aug. 26, rallied the top officials of OSHDP member-companies behind Marcos’ drive against corruption in the bureaucracy.
He stressed the need to steer the housing sector as a model of a corruption-free and transparent industry. “Even one percent of corruption is unacceptable. Both the private sector and the government should work together to achieve zero corruption in the housing sector.”
In his first 90 days in office, Aliling has introduced reforms under the department’s 8-Point Agenda, in compliance with the Bagong Pilipinas brand of proactive and people-centric governance, the DHSUD said in a press release Aug. 27.
Among these reforms are the zero-tolerance policy for corruption, streamlining of processes, digitalization, recalibration and expansion of the flagship Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program.
These reforms instantly drew support from stakeholders, with at least 42 private developers committing more than 250,000 housing units under the expanded 4PH, while various urban poor groups and civil society organizations were engaged as part of Aliling’s transformative and participative leadership.
Currently, there are ongoing investigations on massive corruption allegations involving billions-worth of government flood control projects. No less than the President discovered “ghost” and sub-standard projects during actual inspections recently.
“It’s a matter of political will. Tulungan po natin ang ating Pangulong Marcos Jr. na labanan ang katiwalian upang tuluyan na tayong umunlad,” Aliling said. ||
