[ GPPB RESOLUTION NO. 02-2011, January 28, 2011 ]

APPROVING THE REVISED GUIDELINES ON RECOGNITION OF UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION OF CONSULTANTS



Pursuant to Section 24.6.1 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) Part-A of Republic Act No. 9184 (RA 9184), the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) approved the œGuidelines for Recognition of the Umbrella Organization of Consultants under Section 24.6 of the IRR-A of RA 9184 , through GPPB Resolution No. 014-2004 dated 22 November 2004.

The objectives of the guidelines is to identify and recognize organization of consultants that will promote the growth and national development of the consulting industry in the Philippines, in general, and the Filipino consultants, in particular.

During the 5th Regular Meeting of the Inter Agency Technical Working Group (IATWG) held last 18 May 2007, the IATWG unanimously agreed to revise the Guidelines in order to clarify the duties and responsibilities of umbrella organization of consultants (UOCs). Likewise, the IATWG created a small IATWG composed of representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) for the matter.

During the meeting held last 14 December 2007, the GPPB and the IATWG unanimously agreed to recognize several UOCs for each major sector which will be included in the revised Guidelines, with a view to encourage and foster the development of an umbrella organization that will cover all professions and disciplines.

On its 5th Regular Meeting held last 16 May 2008, the IATWG discussed and resolved the issues on (i) the necessity of amending Section 24.6.1 of the IRR-A of RA 9184, (ii) the identification of the major sectors of the Philippine consulting industry, and (iii) the procedure for recognition of UOCs. It also agreed to include the Department of Trade and Industry and the private sector representatives in the composition of the small IATWG for the Guidelines. The Government Procurement Policy Board - Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO) was tasked to draft the revised Guidelines incorporating the recommendations of the IATWG.

During the 6th GPPB Meeting last 27 June 2008, the GPPB-TSO presented for the information of the Board the salient features of the draft revised Guidelines, viz: (1) policy statement; (2) guiding principles; (3) criteria; (4) procedure for recognition; (5) duties and responsibilities; and (6) treatment of complaints in case of failure to comply with the its duties and responsibilities. The GPPB-TSO also presented the list of major sectors of the consulting industry and the suggested specific sub-categories per major sector. The GPPB, however, resolved to defer the approval of the draft revised Guidelines and instructed the GPPB-TSO to further study the recommendations of the members of the Board.

In the meantime, the GPPB approved the Revised IRR of RA 9184, through GPPB Resolution No. 03-2009 dated 22 July 2009. The mandate for GPPB to recognize UOC is provided in Annex œB  of the IRR, entitled œGeneral Principles on Consulting Services .

During the 2nd IATWG Meeting held last 12 February 2010, the IATWG recommended, for the approval of the Board, the imposition of sanctions against UOC who failed to uphold their duties and responsibilities provided in the revised Guidelines, and the duty of UOC to self-police its members. The IATWG further resolved to delegate to a Sub-working Group the discussion to be composed of representatives from NEDA and DPWH, the private sector, and Commission on Information and Communication Technology (CICT) as resource person.

When the GPPB convened for its 2nd Regular Meeting last 26 February 2010, it agreed to adopt the recommendations of the IATWG. However, the GPPB explicitly pointed out the need to conduct further study on the following issues, to wit: (1) providing a minimum percentage of points that should be given to UOC member; (2) criteria for selection; (3) duration of the recognition; (4) payment of registration fee; and, (5) UOC ™s policies for its members.

Last 20 January 2011, a Sub-working Group composed of representatives from NEDA and CICT met to discuss the foregoing issues. In addition, they deliberated on the list of major sectors of the consulting industry, and their respective sub-sectors.

In the 1st Meeting held last 28 January 2011, the GPPB and IATWG, after careful and thorough deliberations of all the issues and recommendations presented, resolved to approve the recommendations of the Sub-working group on the recognition of UOCs.

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing, WE, the Members of the GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT POLICY BOARD, by virtue of the powers vested on US by law, hereby RESOLVE to confirm, adopt, and approve the œREVISED GUIDELINES ON THE RECOGNITION OF UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION OF CONSULTANTS  attached as Annex œA * and made an integral part of this resolution.

This resolution shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 28 January 2011


Signed by the Representatives of the Following Agencies:

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE


Attested by:

(SGD.) DENNIS LORNE S. NACARIO
Board Secretary, GPPB
OIC-Executive Director, GPPB-TSO



* Text Available at Office of the National Administrative Register,  U.P. Law Complex, Diliman, Quezon City.