Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman highlighted the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA) and digitalization efforts as key anti-corruption measures of the Marcos administration during the Open Government Partnership (OGP) roundtable at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
She emphasized that public procurement, which accounts for 40 to 45 percent of the annual budget, is particularly vulnerable to corruption, making the NGPA essential for ensuring transparency.
The law promotes open contracting, inviting stakeholders from the private sector and civil society to participate in procurement processes and requiring the disclosure of beneficial ownership to prevent collusion.
Pangandaman also discussed the government’s push for digitalization, particularly through the Integrated Financial Management Information System, which aims to enhance efficiency and reduce corruption.
She noted that the Philippines ranked first in Asia for budget transparency and sixth globally for budget oversight, reflecting the government’s commitment to open governance reforms.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 28, 2024
