THE DEPARTMENT of Energy (DoE) has created a coordinating committee to oversee policy on curbing corruption in the energy sector.
In an order dated Sept. 7 and posted last week, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, established the Energy Anti-Corruption Coordinating Committee (Energy-ACCC), which will suggest revisions to current anti-graft measures, and promote training, education and advocacy campaigns against corruption.
The Energy-ACCC will be led by an undersecretary as its chairperson, a vice-chairperson who has yet to be determined, and members from the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC), PNOC Exploration Corp., National Electrification Administration, National Power Corp., National Transmission Corp., and Power Sector Asset and Liabilities Management Corp.
The department order also established the DoE Anti-Corruption Committee (ACC) and an ACC in each attached agency.
“The DoE-ACC and the DoE Attached Agency-ACC are the anti-corruption bodies that implement and promote anti-corruption policies, measures and programs for the DoE and each of the DoE agency, respectively, and ensure compliance,” it said.
Both newly-created committees are required to prepare annual anti-corruption plans specific to the department and agency, respectively; establish a streamlined complaint action center; and investigate such cases.
The Energy department said that the two committees will shoulder the costs and expenses incurred in their respective activities.
Earlier this month, Mr. Cusi joined various agencies in signing a memorandum of agreement with the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission detailing an anti-corruption initiative known as “Project Kasangga.” — Angelica Y. Yang