PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has sought an amendment to Republic Act (RA) 9184 or the Government Procurement Act by using “most responsive and advantageous bid” as criterion of award in the case of procurement of goods and infrastructure projects, in a bid to curb corruption in government.
Duterte made the pitch during the 42nd Cabinet meeting held at the Malacañang Palace on Friday night, October 11, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.
“The President wanted to initiate a move to introduce an amendment to Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Act from “lowest calculated responsive bid” to “most responsive and advantageous bid,” Panelo said.
The Chief Executive floated the idea, after Budget Acting Secretary Wendel Avisado and Government Procurement Policy Board executive director Rowena Ruiz informed the Cabinet of the ongoing interventions and planned initiatives for efficient, effective, and responsive government procurement.
Under RA 9184, Lowest Calculated and Responsive Bid serves as basis for the awarding of contract for procurement of goods, supplies, materials and related services, and civil works.
Section 34 of the law states that in all cases, the contract will be award only to the bidder with the Lowest Calculated and Responsive Bid for the procurement of goods and infrastructure projects.
In his previous speeches, the President claimed that the lowest bid rule in the government procurement is the root of corruption.