G-Watch and Textbook Walk Generating Demand to Prevent Corruption Redempto S. PArafina Ateneo School of Government Philippines Civil Society Initiatives on Anti-Corruption PTF-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 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 Count Reforms For 3 rd 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 Walk was 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!