MANILA: The proposed legislation amending Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA) is a ‘significant step’ in promoting transparency and good governance and, at the same time, help government agencies utilize their budget efficiently.
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said this on Tuesday as she commended Senator Sonny Angara for sponsoring in the upper chamber the proposed measure to be referred to as the ‘New Government Procurement Act’ (NGPA).
‘This is a significant step that will promote transparency, efficiency, and good governance, aligning with President Bongbong Marcos’ vision of Bagong Pilipinas,’ Pangandaman said in a statement.
‘The perfect time to amend the procurement law is now!’ she added.
In his second State of the Nation Address last year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called for the passage of a new procurement law to ensure that state agencies can keep up with the demands of modern times.
Pangandaman pointed out that ame
nding the 20-year-old GPRA will help government agencies utilize their budget efficiently.
In his sponsorship on Monday, Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, emphasized the crucial contribution of public procurement to the economy.
‘Kung ang pambansang badyet taun-taon, o ang General Appropriations Act, ang siyang tumutukoy sa mga programa at proyekto na paglalaanan ng pondo, napapaloob sa procurement rules naman ang mga patakaran na kailangan sundin para gastusin ang pondong ito. Sabay po silang nagsisilbing pundasyon ng kung papaano tumakbo ang pamahalaan (If the annual national budget, or the General Appropriations Act, determines the programs and projects that will be allocated funds, the procurement rules contain the rules that must be followed to spend this fund. Together they serve as the foundation of how the government runs),’ the senator said.
‘Kaya, dapat tingnan ang pag-aamyenda natin ng mga procurement rules, bilang isang paraan para paigtingin ang kakayanan ng gobyerno para pagsi
lbihan ang taong bayan (So, we should look at amending our procurement rules as a way to strengthen the government’s ability to serve the people),’ he added.
Angara, likewise, ensured that the proposed bill would greatly help curb corruption in the government’s procurement process.
The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the counterpart measure of the proposed new procurement law on Dec. 12, 2023.
Source: Philippines News Agency
