The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) launched Wednesday a project that aims to raise citizen’s awareness of the need to pro-actively combat and deter corruption in the government.

Dubbed as “Barangay Kamalayan, Dagdag Kaalaman” or “Barkada Ka,” the project was launched by the OMB together with the Evelio Javier Foundation Inc.

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez said the project seeks to foster unity among the various social sectors struggling against corruption, especially at the local level.

She said that through the project, participatory dialogues will be conducted with various sectors in pilot barangays in Metro Manila, Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao to discuss the services being provided by the Multi-Sectoral Anti-Corruption Council (MSACC).

Gutierrez said plans, programs and activities tackling the corruption problem will also be discussed and convergence activities will be mapped out to galvanize the various sectors in the barangays to take part in the anti-corruption drive.

A massive awareness campaign will also be undertaken utilizing the various platforms and media, including the Internet.

The launch at the Philippine International Convention Center coincided with similar activities conducted by the MSACC chapters in the Visayas and Mindanao.

The activities are being held in observance of International Human Rights Day which the United Nations has declared to fall every December 9.