WHEREAS, Executive Order (E.O.) No. 662 entitled Enhancing Transparency Measures under Republic Act No. 9184 and creating the Procurement Transparency Group was issued last September 20, 2007;

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to amend E.O. No. 662 in order to encourage greater involvement of civil society organizations in the Procurement Transparency Group created thereunder, as well as to affirm their deep sense of volunteerism;

WHEREAS, positive action, founded on the principles of transparency and full disclosure, is called for to enlighten the general public on procurement activities perceived to be anomalous or problematic;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. The last paragraph of Section 1 of E.O. 662, s. 2007 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"The GPPB shall cause to be maintained in the appropriate government website a database of proposed and concluded public sector contracts regardless of amount involved."

SECTION 2. Sections 3, 5 and 6 of E.O. No. 662, S. 2007, are likewise hereby amended to read as follows:

"SECTION 3. Procurement Transparency Group. There is hereby created a PROCUREMENT TRANSPARENCY GROUP, headed by the GPPB and with the following agencies and non-government organizations . as members:

a) Presidential Anti-Graft Commission;
b) National Economic and Development Authority;
c) Department of Justice;
d) Department of Budget and Management;
e) Department of the Interior and Local Government;
f) Five (5) NGOs/CSOs duly designated by the network of CSOs involved in training procurement observers and/or procurement reforms.

"SECTION 5. The Group shall evaluate, comment on, record and monitor procurement activities of NGAs, GOCCs, GFIs, SUCs and LGUs based on mode of procurement, amount of budget, volume, susceptibility to problems or anomalies and importance of the project to the developmental objectives of the country. For this purpose, the group shall:

5.1 Strategically deploy trained observers to the BACs of NGAs, GOCCs, GFIs, SUCs and LGUs, which are in charge for the procurement of these iden tified projects;

5.2 Call the attention of agency heads on potential non-compliance with R.A. 9184 and its IRR-A;

5.3 Discuss and address issues and concerns gathered from the procurement monitoring activities of observers;

5.4 Based on its findings, recommend measures to the GPPB that will enhance transparency and streamline the procurement process;

5.5 Furnish copies of its recommendations and findings to the GPPB, the Office of the President, the Office of the Executive Secretary, heads of agencies concerned and such other agencies or offices as the Group may determine;

5.6 Perform such other functions needed to further enhance its monitoring capability and accountability."

"SECTION 6. All NGAs, GOCCs, GFis, SUCs and LGUs, through their BACs, are directed to cooperate and extend assistance to the deployed observers and the Group.

"In furtherance of the objectives of this Executive Order, all NGAs, GOCCs, GFLs, SUCs and LGUs are hereby directed to make available on a timely basis to the Group, and the general public, all procurement related information, except those which are legally and judicially restricted.

SECTION 3. All executive issuances or portions thereof which are inconsistent .with this Executive Order are hereby revoked, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 15 Nov. 2007

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary