MANILA, July 23, 2009—The World Bank and other development partners commended the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) yesterday for completing the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (Revised IRR) of Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA), which consolidated different rules for local and foreign-funded purchases into one set of implementing rules and regulations.
The revised IRR is seen a crucial step in making public biddings for both local and foreign-funded state projects simpler, faster, and more transparent.
Acting World Bank Country Director Maryse Gautier said coming up with one Revised IRR surpassed the commitment of the Government, through the GPPB, in the 2008 Philippines Development Forum (PDF) where the government only committed on developing the set of rules for foreign-funded projects, called IRR-B, in coordination with development partners. (PDF is the primary mechanism of the Government for facilitating substantive policy dialogue among stakeholders on the country's development agenda).
"This achievement confirms that deepening procurement reform is clearly a priority of Government in improving efficiency and accountability in the use of public money, " Ms. Gautier said during the signing of the new IRR at the Shangrila Hotel in Makati yesterday. "The notable improvements in the IRR will deepen and strengthen the implementation and enforcement of the GPRA."
Besides the World Bank, the country's development partners include the Asian Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, European Commission, Australian Agency for International Development, Spanish Cooperation Agency, United States Agency for International Development, United Nations Children's Fund, United Nations Development Programme, Embassies of China, Japan, Korea and Spain, and many others.
Finance Secretary Margarito Teves said the signing of the revised IRR is truly important for the Philippines as strengthening public procurement reforms will translate to a more efficient use of the country's precious tax revenues. "With this new IRR, and as it is properly implemented, the government may offer more to the people by way of vital public services, " he said.
The revised IRR requires less documentary requirements to establish bidder eligibility to submit bids, lessens transactions costs for bidders, and provides clearer rules on the scope and application of alternative modes of procurement, thus ensuring transparency and encouraging greater participation from a greater number of bidders.
According to Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya, the revised IRR is a major step that further strengthens procurement reform in the Philippines. "This revised IRR seeks to bring us one step further to having a more efficient procurement system for the government. Where it was lacking before, this IRR incorporates definitive rules on foreign funded purchases, " explained Secretary Andaya, who is also the Chairman of GPPB.
Added Ms. Gautier: "The Revised IRR was a product of comprehensive multi-stakeholder consultations, including the private sector, civil society organizations, and bilateral and multilateral development partners. The process is in pursuance to the 2003 Paris Declaration on harmonization and alignment for aid effectiveness. In this effort, we wish to commend also the GPPB's Technical Support Office for a job well done. "
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