Cleofas, M. C. C. (2017). The development of the code of conduct and ethical standards for the officials and employees of the Public-Private Partnership Center (PPPC) (Unpublished master's thesis). Public Management Development Program, Development Academy of the Philippines.

Public Management Development Program Middle Managers Class Batch 11 Thesis (MMC)--Development Academy of the Philippines.

BACKGROUND Under the administration of former President Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III, the government introduced the concept of Public-Private Partnership to address the limitations faced by its infrastructure and development projects by partnering with the private sector for the funding, design, implementation and operation of facilities and services. The Public-Private Partnership Center (PPPC) was established in September 2010, and during the height of former President Aquino's term, the PPPC strived to bring the country' PPP program within the reach of potential investors. At present, it continues to be the government's lead facilitator and catalyst in helping local government units develop and implement principled and effective PPP projects. As President Rodrigo Roa Duterte assumed office, he expressed his disdain over corruption, promising that his administration shall advocate transparency and good governance, and calling his Cabinet into action to ensure this. At the same time, while the PPPC abides by its mandate and continuously provides an environment for investment and partnerships, its continuous expansion calls for the need to address the lack of a code of conduct that is tailor-fitted to the agency's nature. Existing laws and guidelines with regard to ethical conduct of public servants do not seem to accurately address the circumstances faced by the agency. As a response, the PPPC launched the Re-Entry Project (ReP), entitled "The Development of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for the Officials and Employees of the Public-Private Partnership Center," to support the government's efforts against bureaucratic corruption by promoting transparency and accountability in all of PPPC's transaction, and instilling good governance and integrity within the agency. It shall also serve as a form of protection from integrity breaches and vulnerability risks for the PPP processes and PPPC employees. KEY FINDINGS The PPPC patterned its Code of Conduct from provisions in RA 6713 and other relevant existing codes, and took reference from potential and realistic circumstances wherein members are expected to behave in accordance with the agency's core values. The ReP Project team also employed methodologies such as Integrity Development Review (IDR), Survey of the Employees and the Corruption Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) in determining the standards and rules to be included in the code. Dimensions addressed in the code are fidelity to duty, conflict of interest, integrity and confidentiality of information, disclosure of corruption, among others. As the ReP was devised to call for enhanced transparency and good governance within PPPC and ultimately assist the Duterte administration's program in eliminating corruption in the public sector, it required full support from all members of the PPPC. The ReP immediately yielded positive feedback for the PPPC. These include: (i) Instilled awareness and consciousness in PPPC personnel regarding integrity concerns, vulnerabilities and weaknesses that may plague the agency (ii) Garnered support from the management and staff of the PPPC to implement a code of conduct (iii) Achieved employees' information symmetry through the IDA, Survey of Employees and CVA The next step after PPPC adopts the code is to educate its members on the contents of the Code. Training sessions and workshops will be provided to the agency's employees to also serve as a venue wherein clarification may be done. The implementation of the Code shall be monitored and periodically evaluated through the IDA. Of the items to look out for the effectiveness of the information campaign about the Code in PPPC and the level of integrity maturity of the agency. Results yielded from this monitoring shall be used to modify the Code accordingly. RECOMMENDATIONS The PPPC Code of conduct should be considered integral to the agency's management and administrative structure as it sets out guidelines on how decisions must be made and how officials and employees must act during circumstances wherein ethics and integrity are challenged. The PPPC Code of Conduct should be considered integral to the agency's management and administrative structure as it sets out guidelines on how decisions must be made and how officials and employees must act during circumstances wherein ethics and integrity are challenged. The PPPC Code of Conduct must be introduced properly to PPPC personnel. Members of the PPPC must fully understand the benefits of having and abiding by the Code, such as how it shall affect the reputation of the agency and how it shall serve the staff. The Code should be disseminated through various means, e.g. through digital media. Training sessions and workshops should continue to serve as a venue for explanation and clarifications, as well as an opportunity to identify gray areas and weaknesses. As the PPPC is a dynamic organization exiting and moving in a very dynamic environment, the Code of Conduct must undergo regular assessment and be updated to suit the needs of the agency and the circumstances surrounding the agency.