PPA bidding can be seen via live streaming

Bidding processes of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) have started to be shown via live streaming to boost the agency’s integrity and transparency on procurement process.

“In order to maintain the integrity and credibility of the bidding process, the PPA is going live for every bidding process the agency is conducting,” PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago said in a statement.

Santiago said the public can simply log on to PPA’s website (www.ppa.com.ph) and click Biddings Live Streaming to view the opening of bids.

He said the move is expected to help the agency “reduce, if not eliminate, irregular acts during the entire process.”

Santiago explained that the measure is aimed to stamp out corruption in small- and bigticket procurement projects in the state-owned agency.

The first live streaming of bidding was aired last June 20. It was a bidding for the proposed Abra De Ilog port project that involves the construction of a reinforced concrete pier, construction of a Ro-Ro ramp and construction of access trestle. The project has a duration of about 360 days or one year.

The new PPA administration earlier committed to make the agency transparent and accessible to the public as much as possible in accordance with the new work culture being installed by the Duterte administration.

This year, the total budget capital expenditure of the agency is pegged at R7.42 billion compared to the R3.50 billion in 2016.

The budget covers the implementation of several port projects that include the modernization of Mindanao and Visayas ports like Iloilo, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga, improvement of all passenger terminal buildings, repair and maintenance projects and the implementation of 14 other projects.

“We believe that involving the public’s eyes during the bidding process is a deterrent to questionable awarding of bids considering the magnitude of the projects,” Santiago said.