DPWH opens biddings to public scrutiny

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has nothing to hide.

Secretary Florante Soriquez proved this recently as he opened the agency’s bidding processes to non-government organizations (NGOs) nationwide, reducing further the already decreasing opportunities for graft in the government’s main infrastructure arm.

NGOs, along with members of the Commission on Audit (COA), will act as observers in various stages of the procurement process that include pre-bid conferences, opening of bids, post-qualification, contract award, and special meetings of the Bids and Awards Committees (BACs).

Soriquez said that this move would ensure clean and competitive biddings as NGOs are compelled to report to the Office of the Ombudsman any irregularities in bidding procedures.

NGOs also have the option not to sign the abstract of bids if it was observed that the conducted bidding activity did not follow correct procedures.

"Aside from preventing future corruption, NGO presence in the bidding process will also give us an opportunity to show our success in curbing graft within the department through our transparency program," Soriquez pointed out.

"We hope that the participation of NGOs will strengthen our effort to correct the misperception of the public towards DPWH," he added.

Increasing transparency has been the focal point of Soriquez’s policy directions, along with ensuring quality of work, and fast-tracking implementation of infrastructure projects.

NGOs and local government units (LGUs) are already allowed to participate in monitoring infrastructure projects to make sure these benefit the community and are moving forward as scheduled.