The Human Resources Development Office of Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU), in partnership with the Office of the Ombudsman Region VI, successfully conducted a comprehensive seminar on Integrity, Transparency, and Accountability in the Public Service (ITAPS) on September 12 at the Function Hall, Green Building, Talisay Campus.
The day-long seminar, which ran from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., brought together newly hired officers, faculty, and general administrative support services personnel from CHMSU’s Alijis, Binalbagan, Fortune Towne, and Talisay campuses. The event highlights the university’s unwavering commitment to promoting ethical governance and upholding exemplary public service values across all its campuses.
CIER / Ma. Faustina Magbanua photos
The seminar featured three key sessions delivered by distinguished speakers from the Office of the Ombudsman Region VI. Ms. Evangeline Ganibe-Nuñal and Mr. Donald U. Badoy led participants through an in-depth exploration of corruption in their session, “Understanding Corruption,” which covered its definition, underlying causes, and far-reaching effects, as well as the magnitude of corruption’s impact on public institutions.
Ms. Maria Luvilla H. Gaurana from the Office of the Ombudsman Region VI provided comprehensive coverage of legal frameworks governing anti-corruption efforts in her session “Penalizing Corruption: Basic Anti-graft and Corruption Law,” including provisions from the Revised Penal Code Chapter VI and Republic Act 6713 – the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standard for Public Officials.
Mr. Donald U. Badoy from the Office of the Ombudsman Region VI concluded the program with a personal approach to integrity in his session “Integrity Begins with Me,” guiding participants through integrity self-assessment exercises and the development of individual integrity plans.
The ITAPS seminar forms part of CHMSU’s broader initiative to embed ethical practices throughout the university system. Key topics addressed during the seminar included ethics in public service, personal and institutional integrity, accountability mechanisms, and comprehensive anti-corruption policies relevant to educational institutions.
The collaboration with the Office of the Ombudsman Region VI demonstrates CHMSU’s proactive approach to governance reform and its commitment to transparency in all university operations.
