From digitalization stems good governance

Having made their mark in infrastructure, the Discaya couple of Pasig City now aims to institutionalize the benefits of the digital shift that has driven earnings, streamlined processes, and reduced malpractices in their thriving firm.

Businessman Curlee Discaya highlighted the critical role of digitalization in combating corruption and promoting good governance.

His wife, Sarah Discaya, is carrying their advocacy into public service by running for mayor of Pasig City in the upcoming midterm elections. She is championing a platform that leverages digital technologies as an anti-corruption tool, ensuring the digital delivery of basic social services and community projects.

The 49-year-old philanthropist pointed out that such anti-corruption efforts would be useless without a system in place to combat it.

“We keep on shouting about fighting corruption but the truth is that we have not taken steps to eliminate corruption,” Curlee told an episode of Straight Talk program that will air at 10 a.m. on 5 March on Daily Tribune’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

“Through digitalization, which Ate Sarah plans to implement if she wins, we will have a true anti-corruption tool because it establishes a systematic approach,” he added.

Curlee said employing technology allows public resources and services to be fully accounted for to avoid corruption.

“For example, we will know the inventory of deliveries, supplies, or whatever kind of services. If my inventory is 1,000 units but only 500 have been dispensed, it means there is corruption through underdelivery by the supplier,” Curlee explained.

“Through digitalization, we can reduce corruption if not totally eradicate it. At least 99 percent of corrupt ways are eliminated through digitalization. Mrs. Discaya will pursue a ‘Smart City’ program where local government operations are digitalized,” he added.

Rhetoric has no value

The Discayas also lashed out at empty political rhetoric about good governance and anti-corruption from the incumbent local leadership which has been the battle cry for the last six years.

“The incumbent is already in power for six years but up to now good governance remained the battle cry. This means that under his administration the level of corruption hasn’t been addressed,” Curlee said.

“He should have addressed it [corruption] during his first term as mayor of Pasig City, and the focus now should be on social services such as health, education, livelihood and many others. Because if until now you’re still focused on anti-corruption, that means sometimes it’s really hard to fight yourself if that’s the theme,” he added.

Curlee explained that corruption is not just about stealing money but is about depriving people of the basic services that they deserve.

“That’s a blatant corrupt act because we think that every time we save billions of pesos as savings, we don’t think about theft, but the truth is that it was a bigger theft. For instance, you lose P65 million in making the money idle — and that’s the worst,” Curlee indicated.

“Money should be spent to improve the life of every Pasigueño. If we save and don’t spend, taxes become useless since the proceeds are meant to help the poor and needy. Your taxes should be working for you,” he added.

He mused that not spending money to improve the lives of citizens is tantamount to economic sabotage.

“That’s true corruption,” he said.

Sarah, for her part, said that the people see for themselves the situation in Pasig.

“On what is lacking, we don’t really need to elaborate on that because, of course, it would be better if people speak about it since they are those who feel and experience the services from the current administration,” she said.

“So, good governance must be addressed during the first term. On the second term, we would focus on projects and services we can offer to the people of Pasig,” she added.

“If given a chance to serve the Pasigueños, of course, we came from a private company and we don’t have red tape there. I think that’s the difference from other politicians. We don’t know how to make money that way; we make our own money through our projects–through hard work. Maybe that’s what we can bring to the city residents if we are fortunate,” she added.