Procurement processes for government projects have been opened for public scrutiny through videos on online platforms under the new rules of the New Government Procurement Act, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said in a statement on Tuesday.
“As called for by our taxpayers, this allows our citizens to track government spending and ensures that resources are utilized efficiently and appropriately to improve public service delivery, true to the spirit of open and participatory governance,” DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.
Under the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA) released on Monday, competitive biddings may not begin without a video recording of all procurement processes, which include the pre-procurement conference, pre-bid conference, bid opening and other meetings of the Bids and Awards Committee.
“The procuring entity shall also livestream the preliminary examination and the opening of the bids to the public on its website, social media account, or any other form of livestreaming service,” the document on the NGPA’s IRR stated.
The rule applies only to goods worth over P10 million, infrastructure projects worth over P20 million, and consulting services worth over P5 million.
The procuring entity must keep the video recording for at least five days on its online platform. The public can request a copy of the video recording after paying a fee set by the procuring entity based on its budgeting rules.
The new IRR on government procurement must be followed by all government departments, bureaus, agencies, government-owned or -controlled corporations, government financial institutions, state universities and colleges, and local government units.
The NGPA was signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on 20 July 2024.
A survey by Pulse Asia revealed that anti-corruption measures for government workers were a priority for 41 percent of Filipinos. Respondents specifically conveyed this message to the senatorial candidates running in the mid-term elections in May.
“Eliminating corruption could lead to significant positive outcomes, including increased public trust in the government, improved quality of life for ordinary citizens, and economic growth,” a statement from the research organization, Stratbase Albert Del Rosario Institute, said.
“A comprehensive whole-of-government approach and strategic collaboration involving key government institutions, members of the private sector, and civil society will strengthen institutions and foster transparency and accountability in government,” the institute said.
The Philippines’ ranking slightly worsened in Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perception Index, with a score of 33 out of 100, from 34 in 2023. The highest score means “very clean.”
Accordingly, of 180 countries analyzed by professionals and business people, the Philippines ranked below the second half at 114.