Integrity Management Program

Commission on Audit

#IMPro_Integrity_COA

Intensified Management Program on Integrity of COA

What is IMP?

The IMP is a preventive anti-corruption measure of the government which aims to establish a systematic approach in building, improving, reinforcing and sustaining a culture of integrity in public sector institutions that are rooted in acceptable values, principles and standards of good governance.

It is a planned and concerted approach by which public sector institutions commit to harness a culture of integrity among officials and personnel. It is conceived to empower these institutions in managing the renewal and improvement of individual and institutional values, principles of conduct and standards of performance for the attainment of integrity in the highest degree which befits a public sector institution worthy of public trust.

It is an outcome-based initiative to effect change in the bureaucracy.

What are the Characteristics of IMP?

A strengthened program design which incorporates monitoring and evaluation, rewards and incentives, technical assistance arrangements, capacity-building initiatives, with specific anti-corruption tools and measures.
Alignment with current anti-corruption priorities and harmonization with past integrity development programs.
Flexibility of tools to be employed by the implementing institution. It does not prescribe a one-size-fits-all approach, instead, it empowers said institution to best suit an approach according to the peculiarities of its organization.
A streamlined program integrated with the integrity management plans of other institutions and with government priorities. The integrity management plans that will be developed under the IMP are to be integrated with key organizational plans such as strategic plans and operations plans, among others.

What is Corruption Risk?

Corruption risk is any integrity risk or corruption issue, deducible from observable gaps, issues, concerns and flaws in the system which, when not adequately managed and addressed, may ripen into actual corruption. Corruption risks come in different forms, but always involves abuse of entrusted power for private gain, e.g. bribery, information trading or brokering, collusion, conflict of interest, patronage, favoritism, etc.

What is Integrity Measures?

Integrity Measures are policies, programs and systems that provide an enabling environment for integrity management in an organization or institution. These are responses of public sector institutions to address issues, vulnerabilities and concerns, and may come in the form of a set of policies, systems, programs and activities to operationalize the well-identified integrity values, principles and standards.

What are the steps in developing Integrity Measures?

1. Analyze the risks

It must be emphasized that the identification of risks is not sufficient as basis to come up with appropriate measures. The possible schemes or manners on how these risks may occur are important components of the risk analysis process which also include the determination of the probability of occurrence and potential impact, assessment of the existing mitigating controls, and the residual risks.

Other factors or information relating to the timeframe and the impact of the actual happening of the risks must be considered, such as: how long has it been occurring; has it been getting worse with time; are there factors could cause it to do so in the future; how much resources have been lost or wasted; among others.

2. Identify the decision criteria

In addition to the individual and institutional values, principles of conduct, and relevant standards or statutes, other factors or assumptions which may greatly contribute in the decision-making process must be considered, like the thrusts or priorities of the agency; availability of resources or will be made available within the required period; urgency of implementation, constraints in the implementation due to existing restrictions such as COA and CSC guidelines; among others.

3. Come up with more than one measure

Consider other alternative scenarios or situations and evaluate the corresponding advantages and disadvantages with respect to identified decision criteria to ensure that the formulated measures may be considered the most feasible, responsive and effective

4. Adopt the best measures

Choose among the formulated measures or interventions the best ones which can bring about substantial impact towards performance of the agency’s mandate, and eventually achieving its short and long-terms goals or targets.