Open data, transparency in government procurement, promoting foreign investments in the country and participation of civil society in government budgeting, procurement and project implementation were the key topics in a forum entitled “Fair Competition, Transparency, and Procurement Reform” held on February 17, 2015 at the Mind Museum in Bonifacio Global City. The forum was likewise an avenue for the discussion of efficient processes and effective regulations to encourage investments to include procurement reforms and the use of tools like the PhilGEPS. The event was attended by representatives from foreign embassies, local and international chambers of commerce and economists from the business sector and the academe, including members of media.
European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines Guy Ledoux, in his opening remarks, stated that he is encouraged by the willingness of the current administration to pass economic reform bills and to create a more conducive regulatory environment for foreign investment.
In his keynote address, DBM Secretary Florencio Abad emphasized that government has institutionalized reforms in the procurement processes but need citizen participation to ensure that the reforms are monitored and sustained. PS-PhilGEPS Executive Director Jose Tomas Syquia, on the other hand, was a resource speaker at a panel discussion alongside GPPB-TSO Executive Director Dennis Santiago, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Specialist Eric Jorges Gagnon, EU Delegation Trade Section Head Walter van Hattum, Procurement Watch Inc., Board Member Josefina Esguerra, and Makati Business Club Executive Director Peter Perfecto and they all highlighted the importance of transparency in information and digital technology in supporting public procurement reforms, procurement monitoring and enhancing business integrity standards.
The event was organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom and the European Union Delegation to the Philippines.
For more published information on the event, kindly click the following links:
http://www.fnf.org.ph/news/fnfnews.php?id=151&article=Abad_Announces_Opening_of_Public_Procurement_to_Community_Participation