G-Watch and Textbook WalkG-Watch and Textbook WalkGenerating Demand to Prevent Generating Demand to Prevent

CorruptionCorruption

Redempto S. PArafinaAteneo School of Government

Philippines

Civil Society Initiatives on Anti-CorruptionPTF-ADB Collaboration

29 November 2007 ▪ Ortigas, Philippines

G-Watch is a corruption-prevention project of the Ateneo School of Government.

It tracks public expenditure and monitors government program implementation.

It has monitored textbook delivery, school building construction, drug procurement, and public works projects.

It started in year 2000.

the G-Watch idea:ordinary citizens can help the government prevent corruption

framework

• tool and method must be simple and easy to use

• there must be consultation with agency on monitoring and its results

• systems reform, not witch-hunting

• G-Watch Monitoring, 2001– 40% could not be accounted

for– Suppliers delivered anytime

anywhere– Recipients were not notified

about deliveries

Situationer

• G-Watch Monitoring, 2003– 21% were not distributed to

difficult-to-reach schools– Distribution funds were not

accessible

• A joint undertaking of the Department of Education and civil society organizations

• Four consecutive runs from 2003 to 2007

• Aims to prevent corruption in bidding, production, delivery and distribution stages

• From 2003 to 2007, 65 million textbooks amounting to P2.5B (US$50M) were tracked in 4,844-7,499 delivery points

Textbook Count and Citizens’ Action

• International competitive bidding was used

• Synchronized delivery system was introduced

• Citizen volunteers were mobilized for monitoring (including young Scouts and church parishioners)

• Information was disseminated nationwide to schools and monitors

• Monitors sign receipt

Textbook CountReforms

For 3rd party CSO monitor

Accomplishments of

• Prices of textbooks were reduced by 40-50%

• Procurement process (bidding to delivery) was shortened from 24 to 12 months

• Printing and binding quality was improved

• Delivery errors were reduced to as low as 5% on the average

• From Top 5 Corrupt to Top 5 Cleanest (SWS)

• Sustained gains and signs of institutionalization (Textbook Walk, DepED Order 59, s 2007)

Textbook Count

• Need to address lingering problems in onward distribution

• Need to localize Textbook Count

• Need to institutionalize Textbook Count

Objectives of Textbook Walk

Organizing of the Community

Coordinating Team

G-Watch provides technical assistance

(info, briefing)

Synchronized Textbook Walk

Ceremony

Reporting & Evaluation

Community Planning &

Preparations

Schools receive the books

How Textbook Walkwas implemented

• Around 6,000 people joined the event.

• Creativity and local talents were utilized.

• Clamour for more of the same event was sounded off

Communities’ response

• DepED officials observed and were convinced of the impact of the initiative.

• Plans of replication are underway for the next batch of textbook delivery.

• Plans to channel P1.50 delivery fund to Textbook Walk being considered.

DepED’s response

• Access to information was promoted up to grassroots level.

• Heightened expectation on availability of services discouraged corrupt behavior.

• It gave people opportunity to demand, which made them less tolerant of corruption.

Addressing corruption

Thank you!