The measure is supported by Resolution Digeig 05-2024.
SANTO DOMINGO – The new administration of the Ministry of Housing, Habitat and Buildings (Mivhed), headed by Víctor “Ito” Bisonó, affirms that the institution maintains a firm commitment to transparency, accountability, and the strengthening of internal processes. They maintain that Mivhed has already begun the process of obtaining ISO certifications that will allow them to establish measurement mechanisms, evaluate results, optimize procedures, promote digitalization, and ensure more efficient management.
In this vein, yesterday, February 18, the official who was sworn into office on January 15 received the Physical Citizen Complaint Box from the General Directorate of Ethics and Governmental Integrity (Digeig), from the hands of the general director of Digeig, Milagros Ortiz Bosch, whose instrument seeks to strengthen the early detection of irregularities, consolidate a preventive approach in public administration and move towards a more integral, transparent State aligned with international standards of good governance practices, according to a press release.
“In this government, we are all committed to transparency, accountability, and processes. We have already begun the process of obtaining ISO certification, because what is not measured is not known, not accounted for, and areas for improvement, management processes, and digitalization are not visible. This can only be achieved with a team that cooperates and is proud of its work. I believe we can achieve this faster and more efficiently,” Bisonó emphasized.
The official added that his vision is inspired by the ideals of Juan Pablo Duarte, whom he defined as an example of integrity and responsibility in the management of public resources.
For her part, the Director General of the Directorate General of Ethics and Governmental Integrity (Digeig), Milagros Ortiz Bosch, explained that the implementation of this measure seeks to consolidate itself as an effective instrument to prevent and detect possible irregularities within public institutions.
Protected by resolution
Ortiz Bosch clarified that the Physical Citizen Complaint Box is authorized under Resolution Digeig 05-2024, which regulates its operation and formally integrates it into the National Integrity System. He indicated that this tool is part of a broader strategy aimed at institutionalizing control and oversight mechanisms to guarantee compliance with ethical principles in the exercise of public office.
He also noted that the initiative is based on the recommendations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which states that a robust integrity system must include ethical leadership, adequate risk management, effective internal controls, and reliable reporting channels.
What is the physical citizen complaint mailbox?
It is a tool of the integrity system that allows the filing of complaints by the general public and actors of organized civil society, in the exercise of their fundamental right to file complaints for irregularities committed by officials in public institutions.
The complaints filed will be handled exclusively by the Complaint Investigation and Monitoring Directorate of the Digeig, the body responsible for their evaluation and routing in accordance with the established procedures.
The document states that the institutions where the mailboxes are installed will not have direct access to the complaints, thus guaranteeing confidentiality, the protection of the complainant and the impartiality of the process.
Resolution 05-2024 stipulates that only authorized personnel from the Government Integrity and Regulatory Compliance Commissions (CIGCN) or Government Integrity Officers (OIG) may physically open the mailboxes at regular intervals, formally register the cases and immediately forward them to the Digeig for evaluation.
With this initiative, Digeig seeks to strengthen the early detection of irregularities, consolidate a preventive approach in the Public Administration and move towards a more ethical, transparent State aligned with international standards of good governance practices.
The implementation at Mivhed marks the beginning of a progressive rollout that will cover some 200 public institutions across the country.
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