Need for transparency
The flooding brought about by Typhoon Frank was extensive, and caused not only loss of life, but also did extensive damage to infrastructure, to livestock and to crops, not to mention the damage done to the houses and livelihoods of the local population. Most of us were affected in one way or another.
One reason why the flooding was so extensive was the inability of the Aklan River to carry away the flood water, together with an inefficient drainage system. The dredging of the Aklan River is therefore imperative if Kalibo is to avoid such catastrophic consequences on future occasions.
We should not forget that with the acceleration of global warming, a repeat of such an event becomes increasingly more likely.
So what has so far been done towards increasing the capacity of the Aklan River, and how has the money provided by the central government been spent?
One of the areas in which corruption is most prevalent is in the construction industry, where false accounting, or the use of sub-standard building materials are commonly used in order to divert money into the pockets of unscrupulous individuals given to oversee such projects. Such practice is often hard to detect or to quantify.
In the case of dredging operations which are hidden from view, the scope for corruption increases tenfold. For this reason, the need for transparency and for accountability becomes even more paramount.
In a recent article I wrote about this proposed project, and voiced my concern at the potential for corrupt practice. Could it be that my worst fears have now become realized?
We the people recently re-elected Governor Carlito Marquez to a third term in office, and as such he has a sworn duty to represent the interests of the electorate, and to ensure that money made available for their benefit is used in an appropriate way.
Being governor, there is little that will escape his attention where public expenditure is involved, and with such a large sum and so much at stake, it is in his interest to ensure not only that the project is seen through to completion, but also to ensure that the money does not go missing. Since the finance for this project came from central government, accountability is of the essence.
When money is procured locally in the form of taxes, it is all too easy to divert funding and to bribe local officials in order to guarantee their silence, or to intimidate those who demand transparency.
When money is provided by the government, the equation changes. Any transfer of money leaves a paper trail, and government investigators are vested with the authority to examine the bank accounts of those suspected of involvement, and to audit any financial accounts relevant to the project. They can also access mobile phone records and subpoena any they suspect of fraudulent financial activity. Their powers are virtually without limit.
Now in his seventh year of office, Governor Marquez has done little to address the issue of corruption. If anything, the problem of corruption has become worse. One might be forgiven for asking why, when he possesses both the authority and also the power, has he allowed corruption to endure until now?
It is because of corruption the offenders continue to grow richer, whilst the poor remain poor. It is because of corruption that we continue to be exposed to the trauma brought about by flooding year after year, along with the subsequent impact on our well being and upon our livelihoods. We the people deserve more. With the increasing likelihood of a government investigation into the misappropriation of funds, this could well prove to be the turning point.
When corruption becomes so endemic to the society in which we live, there is a complacency which often sets in. Those involve in corrupt practice often come to assume that they are above the law, and as such beyond the reach of the justice system. Unfortunately for them, this is a supposition which exhibits a serious flaw, for no one is beyond the law.
A government investigation will doubtless root out all those who are guilty, and the dominos will begin to fall. For those found to be culpable, not only will they have to pay back the money that they stole, but it is likely that they will face criminal charges too.
It might reasonably be assumed that for every year that they have held office they have diverted similar amounts of money. If the financial penalties imposed are indeed retrospectively , then they stand to lose not only their expensive cars, but their lavish houses too. This would send a very clear message about the unacceptability of corruption, and few would be likely to mourn their loss.
Those who have diverted public funds for their own use should be wary, for they will ultimately be held to account. Nor should they expect to sleep peacefully in their beds, for the day of reckoning now draws near./TE
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