Dizon wants procurement seminar for barangays leaders
By Jessica Ann R. Pareja/JPM (The Freeman) Updated October 24, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (1)

Cebu City Councilor Alvin Dizon wants all elected barangay officials in the city to undergo a seminar on the Government Procurement Act to prevent irregularities in government transactions at the barangay level.

This develops following the alleged irregularities in the bidding and awarding of some City-funded barangay projects in the south, prompting Rep. Tomas Osmeña and city officials to call for a thorough investigation on the matter.

In response to this, Dizon said he will propose to Mayor Michael Rama the conduct of an orientation-seminar for barangay and youth leaders on the provisions of the Government Procurement Reform Act and its implementing rules and regulations.

“The seminar is designed to provide barangay officials with necessary information for the effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of barangay projects to improve efficiency and accountability in the use of public money,” Dizon said.

Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act was enacted into law to provide for the modernization, standardization and regulation of the procurement activities of the government.

Its policy states that all procurement of the government, in all cases, shall be governed by the principles of transparency, competitiveness, streamlined procurement process, accountability and public monitoring.

Dizon wants the Cebu City Development Council to organize the seminar immediately after the assumption of office of the new set of barangay and SK officers.

Meanwhile, Dizon is encouraging voters to be prudent in choosing barangay leaders during tomorrow’s synchronized barangay and SK elections.

“The barangays is the basic political unit, and it is at this level that we find direct and face to face contacts between public officials and citizens on a day-to-day basis. It is important to elect the right candidates in the coming elections because you will have them as your barangay leaders for the next three years… elect those who will promote transparency and accountability,” he said.

He added that good officials are those with commitment and dedication for the poor. (FREEMAN NEWS)