MANILA, (PNA) –The Office of the Ombudsman and the Civil Service Commission and private sectors launched Friday the integrity caravan that aims to promote integrity, good governance and fighting corruption by engaging the participation of the youth.
The launching held at the 4th floor of SM Annex Activity Center in Quezon City was attended by representatives from government agencies private sectors and students who were all enjoined to fight corrupt practices as part of the pursuit to good governance.
Ombudsman chief Conchita Carpio Morales said that the Ombudsman collaborates with Jollibee Food Corporation (JFC), SM Supermalls and University of the Philippines Film Institute to come-out with activities that encourages youth participation towards the creation of a corrupt-free government.
In her speech, Morales challenged the youth to bring to live a relevant, truthful, and meaningful perception of integrity through creative expressions.
She encouraged the youth to lead by utilizing their creativity and talent in essay writing, poster design and film-making contests that the Ombudsman had launched in cooperation with its partners.
She said she is very confident that the young people can come-out with creative expression that will help shape and influence the improvement of good governance.
“These youth who had learned a lot from schools and instructional material the old teaching that “they should not take what do not belongs to them” can remind their parents (government employees and officials) to exemplify honesty and integrity,” she explained.
She added that the youth can also be instruments for change as a reminder to their parents working or serving in the government to be honest by telling their parents “not to steal” or just live a simple life within their means.
“In nurturing the seeds of good governance much all needs to be done. Though with continuous cultivation of good seeds, I believe very soon, a new breed will sprout from the virtues, belief and values that we are planting today. Someday we will reap a bountiful harvest,” she further added.
Meanwhile, JFC chief operating officer Ernesto Tanmantiong stressed that they fully support the Ombudsman Integrity Development Contest as he added that youth’s unique capabilities and positive traits can be further honed with involvement in those contest and may even influence future leaders to help create a corrupt-free government.