QUEZON CITY -- The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) ended the National Shelter Month celebration on a high note with the launch of its Anti-Corruption Committee on Friday.

In the eighth episode of the “Kapihan sa DHSUD: Housing Matters,” Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario spearheaded the official rollout of the Department’s Anti-Corruption Committee and administered the oath of commitment to panel members.

“We are launching today our anti-corruption committee to create and sustain a venue for checks-and-balances in our policies, programs and operations, ensuring full integrity among us, our backbone of honesty while we cultivate service excellence,” the housing czar said in his message.

“Let me also take this opportunity to thank the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) led by Chairperson Greco Belgica for uplifting the pride and dignity of the men and women in the bureaucracy through his stern and logical campaigns on good and clean governance,” he added.

Under Executive Order No. 43 as amended by EO No. 73, all agencies in the executive branch are obliged to form their respective anti-corruption committees.

Gracing the event were Undersecretary Marylin Pintor and Undersecretary Zyril Carlos.

In her message, Usec. Pintor reiterated the significance of the theme of this year’s National Shelter Month celebration - “Ligtas at matatag na tahanan at pamayanan, kanlungan sa gitna ng pandemya at nagbabagong panahon” – amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and challenges brought about by climate change.

She likewise highlighted the importance of an Anti-Corruption Committee in safeguarding departmental anti-corruption policies, compliance practices and enforcement trends.

“As corruption has a very secretive nature, it is one of the most difficult crimes to investigate. We cannot allow such a despicable act to infiltrate this institution, which we have all carefully maintained clean and transparent,” Usec. Pintor stressed.

“Indeed, it is only proper that we form our own anti-corruption committee that will be responsible for creating a clearer mandate that will better thresh out the trappings of corruption through education, prevention, investigation and effective enforcement without political interference,” she noted.

Assistant Secretary Avelino Tolentino III, who is the committee chairperson, described the anti-corruption panel as a platform to ensure integrity and honesty among public servants.

“In all honesty, we can provide for numerous functions of each Anti–Corruption Committee, but it boils down to promoting a high standard of ethics in public service and that public officials and employees shall at all times be accountable to the people and shall discharge their duties with utmost responsibility, integrity, competence, and loyalty, act with patriotism and justice, lead modest lives, and uphold public interest over personal interest,” he said.

Legal Service Director Michael Tezon, Administrative Service Director Alvin Claridades and Knowledge Management and Information Systems Service OIC-Director Nova Teresa Asor were likewise in attendance and took their oath as committee members. Internal Audit Service Director Stefan Ema Mae Corregidor, also a member of the anti-graft panel, participated via video conference.

Rounding up the committee members are the PACC resident evaluator and a stakeholder representative.

The month-long celebration of the National Shelter Month saw a series of housing fairs organized by DHSUD’s bureaus, services and regional offices; KSAs, and partner-developers like online forums and webinars as well as exhibits and virtual learning platforms being held not only at the DHSUD Central Office, but also in its regional branches. (DHSUD)