DPWH uses Bible in anti-corruption campaign

By Miriam P. Aquino

Friday 3rd of February 2012

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Feb. 3 (PIA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region I joined the motorcade around the main thoroughfares here in support of the National Bible Week celebrations held on the last week of January. The theme was “May They Be One; Pagpapahayag ng Salita ng Diyos Tungo sa Pagbabago, (Proclaiming God’s Word Towards National Transformation).”

According to Regional Director Veniedo O. Reyes, the theme coincides with the administration’s objective to end corruption in the government and encourage moral development for the people.

“Let us always be reminded that, 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from God,’” he said.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson’s directive to “implement the right project, cost, and quality by the right people at the right time” to prevent corruption is being pushed in the regional office, according to Esperanza C. Tinaza, DPWH-1 public relations officer.

“We are also continuously gathering feedbacks from our clients thru comments/complaints received by our DPWH action center and the textline 2920 as a way of monitoring personnel behaviour and performance,” she added.

The Philippines began celebrating the National Bible Week (NBW) after then President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Presidential Proclamation no.1923 on October 27, 1979, in recognition of the Bible “as an excellent source of principles for the development of moral and personal discipline”.

The celebration of the NBW every last week of January was re-emphasized by former President Corazon C. Aquino’s Proclamation no. 44 in 1986. This was later followed by ex-President Fidel Ramos Presidential Proclamation 1067 which recognized that “national attention be focused on the importance of reading and studying the Bible in building the spiritual, moral and social fiber of the citizenry”.

On January 10, 2006, the City Council of San Fernando City approved the resolution instituting the yearly celebration of the National Bible Week in the city. (ANL/MPA-PIA1 La Union with reports from DPWH1)