Integrity Initiative Chairman Ramon del Rosario Jr. said the government has already made significant strides in terms of eradicating unethical business practices in the country.
One proof of this is the Philippines’s 52nd ranking out of 144 countries in the 2014 and 2015 World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Competitiveness Index, up 33 notches from 85th in 2010.
WEF, likewise, placed the country at 67th globally in the strength of institutions segment, or a 50-place improvement since 2010.
Another noteworthy accomplishment, del Rosario said, is country’s enhanced performance in the ethics and corruption subcategory at 81st spot from 135th in 2010.
With such achievements, del Rosario said they are delighted that the Integrity Initiative’s endeavors aligned with the government’s anti-corruption efforts have come into fruition.
He cited the people’s support that also contributed to achieving common ethical standards in the society.
In 2011 the private sector-led Integrity Initiative came into being amid widespread dissatisfaction over the culture of unethical practices prevalent in all rungs of society.
Since its inception, it has done several activities aimed at advancing good governance in the business sector across the nation.
Last year the organization tapped the youth and encouraged them to strive for a moral and ethical country with the launch of “Integrity Nation Now” campaign in 2014.
Other activities conducted last year were the Integrity Summit, Integrity Film Fest and the Integrity Youth Concert.
This year another major activity—the Integrity March—will be held, which is expected to reinvigorate the fight for integrity.
Private and public organizations, as well as government institutions, also continue to join the Integrity Initiative. At present more than 3,500 private sector entities and national government agencies have signed the Integrity Pledge.
“We are proud of the things we have achieved throughout the four years,” del Rosario said. “It’s very challenging, especially for a country like ours where people are at the verge of giving up on their country. But look where our hard work has taken us.”
To continue ethical practices in the Philippines, he revealed that the association will come up this year with a sustainability plan that will be drafted with its stakeholders to map out activities that will support the organization’s operation, as well as closely coordinate with ranking government officials to further its advocacy.
“We believe that formally institutionalizing our compliance system will surely make a stronger impact in our fight against corruption,” del Rosario stressed.
“Working with the government gives us high hopes that we will soon practice transparency across all the sectors, be it private or public. When that happens, our dream of an honest and more ethical Philippines will be within our reach,” he added.