Solon says revamped NGPA law poised to 'revolutionize procurement process across govt sectors' | BusinessMirror (2024)

In a landmark move to enhance efficiency and transparency in government dealings, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed into law the Republic Act (RA) No. 12009, also known as the ‘New Government Procurement Act’ (NGPA). This significant legislation aims to modernize the 21-year-old RA No. 9184, bringing about transformative changes to the procurement process.

San Jose Del Monte (SJDM) Lone District Representative Florida ‘Rida’ Robes, a co-author of the NGPA, emphasized that this new legislation is poised to revolutionize the procurement processes across all government sectors, promising a more streamlined, efficient, and corruption-free environment that will bring significant benefits to the nation.

Rep. Robes, who also chairs the House Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability, has worked tirelessly with City of Manila 4th District Representative Hon. Edward Vera Maceda, who chairs the House Committee on Revision of Laws, and other colleagues to draft and advocate for this comprehensive act addressing long-standing issues such as bureaucratic red tape, lack of transparency, and inefficiencies that historically impeded the timely and effective delivery of public services.

Key Features of the NGPA:

1. Introduces fit-for-purpose modalities to achieve value for money, prioritizing the ‘most economically advantageous responsive bid,’ which allows for rated criteria in the selecting a winning bidder.
2. Strengthens procurement planning of procuring entities with mandatory market scoping and strategies to be used as tools.
3. Modernizes procurement processes through the use of emerging technologies and innovative solutions.
4. Institutionalizes sustainable public procurement principles and practices, considering environmental, social, and economic factors, life cycle, gender parity, poverty alleviation, and fair opportunities to vulnerable and marginalized sectors.
5. Enhances transparency and ensures greater accountability with open government, participatory procurement, and the use of beneficial ownership information in procurement.
6. Professionalizes procurement practitioners to foster a skilled and competent workforce dedicated to excellence in government procurement.

“I am honored to have co-authored the New Government Procurement Act, which marks a significant step forward in our quest for good governance. This act is a testament to our commitment to creating a more efficient, transparent, and accountable government. By streamlining procurement processes, we are not only improving the way our government operates but also ensuring that public resources are used effectively for the benefit of all Filipinos,” said Rep. Robes.

The implementation of the NGPA is set to bring numerous benefits, including faster project completion times, improved quality of government services, and enhanced public trust in the government’s responsible resource management, with additional assurance that the focus on transparency and accountability will discourage corrupt practices, guaranteeing a prudent use of taxpayer money for its intended purposes.

As the NGPA comes into effect, Rep. Robes expressed her commitment to monitoring its implementation and ensuring that its benefits are realized across all sectors. She reassured that she will continue to collaborate with government agencies, local businesses, and the public to address any challenges and make necessary adjustments to further enhance the procurement process.