Yes, Pigs Can Fly!

18 September 2008 – Procurement Watch, Inc. (PWI) today launched a book entitled “Yes, Pigs Can Fly! Facing the Challenges of Fighting Corruption in Procurement” chronicling the stories of five civil society organizations (CSOs) that played a role in preventing corruption in procurement.

The publication of the book received support from the United States Embassy’s 2007 Democracy Small Grants Program which awards funds to local NGOs to support activities that promote government transparency. The book is a documentation of success stories and best practices of anti-corruption initiatives of CSOs and volunteers in government procurement. The publication aims to disseminate and inform the public of these practices and further motivate those involved in anti-corruption work and encourage them to continue their fight against corruption.

Featured in the book are the stories of the Ateneo School of Government (Small Deeds that Count: The G-Watch Initiative), Bangsamoro Development Agency (Spirituality and Reality Do Co-Exist), Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Government (Under the Watchful Eyes of Concerned Citizens: The CCAGG Experience), Rural Enterprise Assistance Center Foundation (One’s Own Backyard: The REACH Foundation Approach), and PWI (Quantifying Corruption, Qualifying Efficiency: The PWI Formula). All five CSOs received Plaques of Recognition from Ms. Martha Buckley, Cultural Affairs Officer of the US Embassy during the book launching.

Ms. Caroline Belisario, PWI Supervising Technical Officer says that the release of the book is timely in light of recent procurement controversy and scandals. “The stories highlighted in the book represent some of the faces of reform in the Philippines and by focusing on the good outcome of these initiatives, somehow give us hope that pockets of reform could be achieved, at the same time, recognizing that challenges remain provides the motivation to continue their efforts into the future,” she said.

She also explained that the basic concept behind the publication is that combating corruption is not the sole responsibility of government and the key to winning the battle is to get everybody involved.

Copies of the book are available with PWI and local bookstores.