For transparency and to erase presumptions of irregularity, the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of Baguio has been asked to livestream the bidding process for any project or contract.
Citing Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act, Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda submitted a proposed resolution asking the BAC to follow the lead of other local government units and government agencies that livestream their bidding.
With advances in technology, Tabanda said social media can be used by the procuring entity to show how bidding process is done, real time.
“Livestreamed transactions erases any presumption of doubt and irregularity and provides the public with complete information on the goods, services, and contracts being bid out,” Tabanda said in her proposal, adding the practice is already being practiced by other LGUs and government agencies.
RA 9184 provides during the bidding process, authorized observers and accredited civil society organizations were allowed to witness the process. At the time the law was passed, social media was inexistent.
With social media now an indelible part of everyone’s daily life, livestreaming has been included to allow the public to witness the bidding or procurement process.
In Department Order 105, implementing offices were also required to post on the agency’s official website and/or social media platforms information such as project name; approved budget for the contract; contract period; name of winning bidder and its official business address; amount of contract awarded; date of award and acceptance; and implementing office, unit, division, or bureau. – Rimaliza A. Opiña
April 20, 2024
