Wednesday, October 10, 2007 Mayor seeks smooth implementation of ‘Procurement Reform Act’ By Sheila E. Covarrubias
MAYOR Celso Lobregat Tuesday expressed hopes that the series of consultations on Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act, would pave way for the efficient and effective implementation of projects and programs.
Lobregat was one of the speakers in the consultative meeting on RA 9184 for local government officials and law implementers initiated by the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) at the Astoria Hotel Tuesday afternoon.
“I hope that after this activity, all kinks surrounding the implementation of the law shall have been ironed out and the flow of the implementation of projects shall be smooth,” the mayor said in his message.
Very often, he noted, projects and even the procurement of supplies and material encounter problems due to differences in the interpretation of the policies and procedures.
He admitted that sometimes he get into arguments with his budget officer and the chairman of the bids and awards committee because of certain hitches in the procurements law.
“I hope that the representative of the Government Procurement Policy Board will clear up some of the grey matters in the interpretation of some provisions of RA 9184 so that the implementation of projects would not be unnecessarily stalled,” the mayor said.
He further stressed that the effective and efficient implementation of the law would ensure better public service.
GPPB representatives from Manila flew over to Zamboanga to spearhead the consultative meeting, which was attended by City Government officials, barangay leaders and other stakeholders.
