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Keisha Ta-Asan - The Philippine Star
February 12, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The government has unveiled new provisions for strategic planning and the integration of digital tools in the government procurement process.
This as the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act 12009 or the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA) were released to the public and other stakeholders.
These measures are expected to modernize government procurement practices, enhancing transparency, efficiency as well as accountability in the public sector.
The IRR states that the governing principles of government procurement includes transparency, competitiveness, efficiency, proportionality, accountability, participatory procurement, sustainability and professionalism.
A key focus of the NGPA’s IRR is the incorporation of strategic planning into procurement processes. This will enable government agencies to align their purchasing activities with broader national development goals.
The procurement process is also streamlined through the adoption of emerging technologies and innovative solutions, aiming for a more organized and straightforward system.
The updated law also emphasizes transparency by requiring that procurement data and documents be disclosed publicly at all stages, from planning to contract execution. This will allow citizens to monitor government spending and ensure that taxpayers’ money is being used effectively.
With the IRR now in place, the rules will be applied to all procurement by any branch, agency, department, bureau, office or instrumentality of the Government of the Philippines. This includes government-owned or controlled corporations, government financial institutions, state universities and colleges as well as local government units.
To recall, President Marcos signed RA 12009 into law in July last year, enhancing the decades-old RA 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act, by modernizing and increasing the transparency of the government procurement process.
Approved on Feb. 4 by Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and the Government Procurement Policy Board – Technical Support Office, the IRR is now accessible to the public, following its publication on Feb. 10.
During the Open Government Partnership Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting, Pangandaman said the approval of the IRR took only six months, far quicker than the usual years-long timeline for similar regulations.
“This is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that this law is not only passed but truly implemented,” she said.
“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,” Pangandaman said.
