PhilDHRRA supports full disclosure of local budget and finances, and bids and public offerings

A MANIFESTO
SUPPORTING THE FULL DISCLOSURE OF LOCAL BUDGET AND FINANCES,
AND BIDS AND PUBLIC OFFERING

WHEREAS, Section 352 of the Local Government Code of 1991 requires the posting within 30 days from the end of each fiscal year in at least three (3) publicly accessible and conspicuous places in the local government unit a summary of all revenues collected and funds received including the appropriations and disbursements of such funds during the preceding fiscal year;

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 9184, known as the Government Procurement Reform Act, calls for the posting of the Invitation to Bid, Notice of Award, Notice to Proceed and Approved Contract in the procuring entity’s premises, in newspapers of general circulation, the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the procuring entity;

WHEREAS, the declared policy of the State to promote good local governance also calls for the posting of budgets, expenditures, contracts and loans, and procurement plans of local government units in conspicuous places within public buildings in the locality, in the web, and in print media of community or general circulation;

WHEREAS, the President, in his first State of the Nation Address, directed all government agencies and entities to bring to an end luxurious spending and misappropriation of public funds and to expunge mendacious and erroneous projects, and adhere to the zero-based approach budgetary principle;

WHEREAS, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is committed to aggressively scale up interventions to elevate the practice of governance that values transparency, accountability, participation and performance into an institutionalized status;

WHEREAS, we, representatives of the leagues of local governments, leagues of local elective officials and civil society organizations, value the initiatives being undertaken by the Administration of President Benigno S. Aquino, through the DILG, towards an empowered and accountable local government units;

THEREFORE, we, the undersigned, pledge our support to the issuance of a directive that provides for the full disclosure of local budget and finances, and bids and public offerings and will help disseminate such issuance to our members, as well as assist in ensuring its successful implementation in all LGUs in the country;

We pledge to faithfully comply with the above-cited provisions of laws, and existing national policy.

Signed this 31th day of August 2010 at the DILG Central Office, Quezon City.