EMPLOYEES of the Department of Agriculture-Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) are warned anew not to accept gifts always, even during holidays, as it may cause bias in the delivery of services.
DA-NIR Regional Director Joyce Wendam said that to maintain objectivity, all employees are mandated not to accept gifts in any form, especially those from private companies involved in activities that will require the DA’s supervision.
Wendam cited Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol’s act of returning the Rolex Submariner watch worth P450,000 given to him in a dinner with top officials of a giant agricultural company recently.
The agriculture chief, in his Facebook post, said he decided to return the watch to the sender “respectfully” as he fears facing corruption charges and imprisonment for conflict of interest by receiving expensive gifts.
“This worth-emulating act of the Secretary is a manifestation that he is really true and serious to his words of ending corruption in the department. This should also be replicated in the agency’s regional level,” Wendam said.
The law prohibits officials as well as employees from accepting expensive gifts. It is a violation to the civil service rules and regulations, the DA regional director stressed.
Wendam also pointed out that receiving gift may affect the decision-making of the employees, and will possibly lead them to provide services that are “subjective,” or those not based on ethics and standards of public service.
“They should not receive even a simple treat from anybody who may be a source of conflict of interest,” Wendam said, adding that absence of “gifts” especially monetary considerations will enable them to serve the public fairly and efficiently.
