Philippine Open Government Partnership: 3rd Quarter Meeting Highlights & Milestones
Opening Message: 3rd Quarter PH-OGP Steering Committee Meeting
Date: November 15, 2024
Location: Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga
Good morning to all advocates of open government and good governance. Hello to my colleagues from the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) Steering Committee.
Four months ago, we met in Manila. Today, we gather in Pampanga to support the principles of transparency, accountability, citizen participation, co-creation, and inclusion.
I am proud to share our accomplishments. We passed the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA), updating a 20-year-old law. This law aims to improve efficiency and reduce corruption in public procurement, where 40-45% of our annual budget is spent.
At the OGP meeting in New York, I highlighted how the NGPA ensures transparency through open contracting. Stakeholders can access procurement information, and private-sector observers can participate in procurement processes. The NGPA requires bidders to disclose ownership information to prevent collusion.
In August, we launched three digital platforms to make procurement more open and efficient: the Procurement Observers’ Portal, the NGPA Microsite, and the Billy Bayong Chatbot. These tools empower Filipinos to engage with the procurement process. We are currently finalizing the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the NGPA and welcome input from our partners.
I also want to mention that OGP CEO Sanjay Pradhan recognized our efforts in integrating open government into our socioeconomic framework. The Philippines has institutionalized OGP through an Executive Order and included it in our Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.
In October, we began our term as a member of the OGP Global Steering Committee. We will host the OGP Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting on February 5-7, 2025. We aim to make this summit dynamic and productive.
Last month, we launched our Public Financial Management (PFM) Reforms Roadmap 2024-2028. This roadmap focuses on digitalizing PFM processes and harmonizing PFM policies across agencies. It includes areas like climate change, disaster response, and gender, which we will advocate through Open Government Partnership.
Our goal is to create an open government that provides efficient, responsive public services. We will implement the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) to manage public funds efficiently and combat corruption.
Recently, we participated in the first International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security. We held a successful panel discussion on integrating gender-responsive approaches into open government. We committed to including the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in our upcoming OGP Regional Meeting.
Today, we will discuss the PH-OGP Annual Accomplishment Report and other important matters.
Let’s make this meeting purposeful. Together, we aspire for a truly open government—a New Philippines where the government is transparent, trustworthy, and listens to its citizens.
Thank you.