ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines — Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. has expressed commitment to continue his policy of maintaining transparency in governance.

“We have strictly imposed a zero-commission and no S.O.P. (standard operating procedure, slang for bribes) policy,” Defensor emphasized in his State of the Provincial Address Thursday.

“Public biddings are now conducted openly, and the public can witness the opening of sealed bids and listen to the deliberations of the Bids and Awards Committee,” he added.

This reform in governance policy, the Iloilo governor said, has enabled the provincial government to save some P36 million in implementing infrastructure projects, maintenance of roads and bridges, hospital maintenance, procurement of medical supplies, and renovation of the Iloilo Sports Complex.

Defensor underlined his administration’s focus in improving health care. His administration, he said, has distributed approximately 100,000 PhilHealth insurance cards to indigents and barangay health workers. He said he has also released some P49 million for retroactive pay of barangay health workers.

Where education is concerned, the governor said his administration released P27 million for improvement of school facilities all over the province.

His efforts at environmental preservation, he said, has seen the launch of reforestation program targeting the planting of a million trees. His administration has also been a party in a pact forged with the governments of Cebu, Masbate, and Negros Occidental to preserve fishing grounds of the Visayan Sea.

In his address, Defensor urged the Provincial Board to draft an Environmental Code and Investment Code.

“We need to codify our environmental and investment policies to avoid confusions, reduce red tape and minimize, if not totally eradicate, graft and corruption. These (Environmental and Investment) Codes will also fortify our resolve to protect and preserve our environment, and generate jobs and attract new industries and businesses in the province of Iloilo,” Defensor said.