With the purpose of strengthening the relationship between the Comptroller General of the Republic and social actors, the Comptroller General of the Republic held the II National Meeting of Overseers and Social Actors, where the Comptroller General of the Republic, Carlos Hernán Rodríguez Becerra, met referred to the importance of the work of citizen observers and the results that have been achieved thanks to their complaints.
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“We currently have more than 26,700 observers nationwide, we have managed more than 2,257 tax complaints between 2023 and 2024, thanks to these and the work coordinated with our collegiate management, we have been able to identify 1,468 white elephants and critical projects throughout the national territory, achieving that 141 works have been put at the service of the community through the Colombia Commitment strategy and Participatory Fiscal Control Interventions for $1.9 billion”, noted the Comptroller General.
He also highlighted the importance of the work of the citizen observer for the Comptroller General’s Office, since citizen oversight offices represent one of the most powerful tools to guarantee transparency, accountability and defense against corruption in public institutions.
“The management that you carry out from your communities, accompanied by the work of the Comptroller General of the Republic, has been fundamental in the fulfillment of our mission of guaranteeing the good management of public resources destined for community plans, programs and projects,” said Rodríguez Becerra.
These strategies aim to unblock the execution of projects that present complications, bringing the different actors involved in the development of projects that are paralyzed to the table. They are currently monitoring 346 works worth $16.4 billion, which are expected to be put into operation. Likewise, the Comptroller’s Office hopes that before the end of this term, 49 works are available in favor of civil society.
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white elephant
Neiva Mayor’s Office
Additionally, as part of this coordination with the citizens, the Comptroller’s Office put Line 199 at the service of citizens, a direct and accessible channel that was enabled so that all people and observers have a direct way to report any irregularity in the management of public resources.
In the last year, This line has received more than 36,413 calls, of which 18,799 made reference to issues within the jurisdiction of the Comptroller’s Office, many of which became the starting point for investigations and preventive actions that protect public assets.
The Comptroller General called for citizens to continue to be involved in monitoring investments. “I take advantage of this space to make a respectful call to the National Government and Territorial Entities to continue involving citizens in planning, decision-making and monitoring of public investments in the regions. Also, I invite municipal representatives to accompany and guarantee the effectiveness of these processes, thus promoting transparency and the good use of public resources.”
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Rodríguez Becerra insisted that citizen oversight bodies are crucial for social control and transparency in public management and said that they must be respected and seen for what they are: allies in the surveillance of public resources.
In this sense, he announced that, as a result of the proposals he has received from several observers during his visits to different regions of the country, he will promote with their support a reform of Law 850 of 2003, which regulates Citizen Oversight Offices, in order to strengthen the capabilities of the oversight bodies and guarantee their effectiveness.
“I want to invite you to join me in the construction of a reform to this law, so that the conditions you provide have guarantees, adjust to your needs and strengthen the capacity to benefit the communities,” express.
PAULA GALEANO BALAGUERA
Portfolio Journalist
