The Palace on Monday reminded all government offices and agencies to post their procurement notices on the Internet, in compliance with the provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 9184, or Government Procurement Reform Act.
In his Memorandum Circular No. 36 signed on Nov. 29 but only released on Monday, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea called on government-owned-and-controlled corporations, national and local government agencies, and state universities and colleges to post their procurement notices, such as Invitation to Bid and Request for Expression of Interest, on the websites of the Procuring Entity and the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System.
Further, the memorandum circular ordered the publication of procurement notices in any conspicuous place in the premises of the Procuring Entity; PhilGEPS website and the website of the procuring entity; and a newspaper of general circulation nationwide.
Procuring Entity refers to any government office or agency, including government-owned- and/or-controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, and local government units, procuring goods, consulting services, and infrastructure projects.
Section 28, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall adopt and implement a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest.
It is also the policy of the state ”to promote good governance and to adhere to the principles of transparency, accountability, equity, efficiency, and economy in its procurement process.”
Over at the Lower House, a Mindanao
A Mindanao lawmaker pushed for the passage of a measure that seeks to expand the existing Anti-Red Tape Act.
Iligan City lone district Rep. Frederick Siao, principal author of House Bill 6579, said bill should also be included in the list of priority measures in the event that Congress holds a special session during the Christmas break.
Siao’s s HB.6579 or the proposed Ease of Doing Business Act, has already a counterpart measure in the Senate under Senate Bill (SB)1311 or the Expanded Anti-Red Tape Act.
Siao suggested that the bill be included in the agenda of a possible special session intended to tackle the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), as desired by President Duterte.
Siao said the immediate enactment of a consolidated version of HB 6579 and SB 1311 would pave the way for its early implementation.
He said the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the law as well as the needed information technology systems must be established afterward.
“The quick processing of permits and clearances at the city, municipal and provincial level would bring great convenience to those who want to start a business, whether big or small,” Siao said in batting for the immediate passage of his measure..
Siao, vice chairperson of the House committee on tourism, noted that the House and Senate versions of the bill have few differing provisions. Given this he said he expects the bicameral conference committee to iron out conflicting provisions of the measure.
HB 6579 seeks the creation of an Ease of Doing Business Commission; while SB 1311, a Business Anti-Red Tape and Competitiveness Bureau shall be established.
“Should the bicameral conference committee favor the Bureau, then they should ensure that it is a line bureau since it is more powerful than a mere staff bureau,” Siao said..
The Administrative Code of 1987 provides that a line agency can implement laws and directives, while a staff bureau merely acts as a support to a department secretary.
Unlike a commission which is considered by law as an attached agency, a line bureau is housed within a department, Siao added.