Day: May 4, 2023

Budget Integrity Commission holds talk to promote the value of ethics among public servants

The activity was held in commemoration of National Civic Ethics Day, coordinated by the Integrity Commission. Sociologist Cándido Mercedes was the speaker. With the aim of raising awareness among public servants about the impact of ethics and values on public service, the General Directorate of Budget (Digepres), under the coordination and initiative of the Commission for Governmental Integrity and Regulatory Compliance (CIGCN), offered the talk “The Importance of Ethics Today: Building More Capital and Social Cohesion.” The activity, part of the events commemorating National Civic Ethics Day, celebrated every April 29, also sought to promote the importance of transparency in public institutions. The talk, given by sociologist Cándido Mercedes, was led by the Director General of Budget, José Rijo Presbot; Milagros Ortíz Bosch, Director General of Ethics and Governmental Integrity; and the Deputy Director General of Budget, Iván Ramírez. At the event, the Budget Director thanked Ortiz Bosch and Mercedes for their presence, praising their qualities, experience, and work as role models of ethical conduct. Ortiz Bosch delivered the welcoming remarks and outlined the work he has been doing at the head of the institution to promote and strengthen an ethical culture among public servants. “Without you, there are no changes, nor oversight to identify who is complying with the rules. This is what allows us to achieve ethical functioning within the institutions we are part of,” Ortiz Bosch said in his address. For her part, Soribel Medina, General Coordinator of the Commission on Governmental Integrity and Regulatory Compliance (CIGCN), acknowledged the importance of the work of all Budget Directors in strengthening the CIGCN's work. Cándido Mercedes called for reflection on ethical values, collective respect, and the importance of adopting a lifestyle based on transparency and efficiency to achieve a more just and balanced society. Among the topics addressed by the speaker were concepts related to ethics, social cohesion and capital, cooperation, commitment, and teamwork, which, when combined, enable the institution's success and the country's development. "Our commitment is to strive for collective well-being, which also guarantees individual well-being, and civic ethics is the primary tool available to forge citizens committed to a more just and equitable society," Mercedes stated. Similarly, Cándido Mercedes highlighted in his presentation the efforts being made by President Luis Abinader's administration in the fight against corruption through an independent judiciary and the strengthening of democratic institutions. CIGCN: Committed to institutional ethics, Digepres, under the leadership of DIGEIG, established its Governmental Integrity and Regulatory Compliance Commission (CIGCN) in compliance with Decree No. 791-21, which declares the implementation and election of Governmental Integrity and Regulatory Compliance Commissions (CIGCN) in all public institutions a high national priority. This marks the first time the Integrity Commission has representatives from all organizational groups, ensuring the participation and commitment of employees at all levels.