Training on
Community Participation in Procurement
“Improving
the Quality and Responsiveness of Public Spending in Poor Communities through
Localized Procurement Reform”
One
hundred eighteen (118) participants which composed of Barangay Officials, CSOs,
NGOs, and local constituents from Amulung, Cagayan had attended a seminar-workshop entitled “Training
on Community Participation in Procurement” with the theme “Improving the Quality and Responsiveness of Public Spending in Poor
Communities through Localized Procurement Reform” at St. Paul University
Philippines, Tuguegarao City last August 28-30, 2013. This engagement was implemented by St. Paul University Philippines – Knowledge
for Development Center (SPUP-KDC) in partnership with Transparency and
Accountability Network (TAN)and Government Procurement Policy Board-Technical
Support Office (GPPB-TSO) supported by the Japan Social Development Program
through the World Bank (WB). The
training joined by the live-in participants aimed to a) promote the adoption of
transparent and participatory procurement mechanisms for the delivery of
poverty reduction programs in at least disadvantaged municipalities in the
Philippines b) institutionalize public
procurements processes in poor communities c) localize procurement reform at the municipal level and
d) appreciate local project management.
SPUP
President, Sister Remy Angela Junio, SPC, as she welcomed
the guests and participants, emphasized the value of cooperation and
partnership to engage in social accountability advocacy.
She is hopeful that after this engagement, each participant shall have
been capacitated to practice and promote the expected objectives of the
training.
Mr.
Vincent Lazatin, the TAN Executive Director, elucidated the project rationale
to further intensify the participants’ perception in localize procurement. He
also pointed out that this endeavor is well-timed with the current issues on
the pork barrel of the legislators.
Localize community-driven projects can be an alternative scheme in
maximizing the implementation of the frozen funds intended for the PDAF of the
law makers.
The
Municipal Budget Officer, Ms. Judith Dela Cruz, introduced the participants coming
from the 10 different barangays of Amulung, Cagayan. To set the tone of the three-day fruitful
training, Dr. Rosalinda Tanguilan, the Local Project Coordinator of the said
activity upsurge the level of expectations of the participants.
Dr. Jesus Pizarro, the first
resource speaker, discussed the principles of Social Accountability (SAc). The importance and value of SAc within the
context of good governance, tools and approaches, commitment to SAc, action
plans to address current problems, and building partnerships were highlighted
by Dr. Pizarro.
Meanwhile, a Department of Budget
Management representative, Mr. Rey Villon, discussed the general provisions and revisions of the Government
Procurement Reform Act (GPRA). The
Republic Act No. 9184 is an act providing for the modernization,
standardization and regulation of the procurement activities of the government
and for other purposes.
The second day started with a
creative recapitulation initiated by the participants. Ms. Jo-Anne Galiza and Mr. Alejo Cambri Jr.
shared the topics on Community Participation on Procurement Manual (CPPM). The legal references, key aspects and guiding
principles to community participation were expounded by the two resources
speakers.
To provide the participants with
understanding on the roles of the different committees such as PPMC, PPC, MIC
and CRFC, Mrs. Judith Dela Cruz stressed the steps to be undertaken by the
barangay in preparation for the community procurement and the basic
requirements needed for the community to participate as a contractor or service
provider.
Planning workshop for Barangay 53.12
Procurement highlighted the third day of the training. Each barangay were tasked to portray the
actual processes of community participation in procurement based from the
actual development priorities of their respective locality. Mr. Byron Abadeza, TAN Project Coordinator and Mr.
Dodjie Aumentado, WB Senior Procurement Specialist responded to the queries of
the participants right after the
presentation.
A parallel session for Resource
Mobilization and CSO Observer’s Guide to Public Procurement were conducted by
Mr. Allen Cambri and Mrs. Dela Cruz
respectively. The former was attended by
the Barangay Officials to increase their awareness in possible ways they can
mobilize resources for procurement activities while the latter was attended by
the CSOs and NGOs to internalize their responsibilities, rights and
accountabilities in 53.12.
The participants shared their
reactions, comments and suggestions on 53.12. They are hopeful that this
training will strengthen their community participation in procurement leading
to proper implementation of upcoming development projects. The training ended with the distribution of
certificates to the resource speakers and participants.
