DOTr gets US aid for aviation infra dev’t

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has secured a grant from the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to boost procurements in the aviation sector.

The USTDA on Monday awarded a grant to the Philippines to fund two senior advisors to support the DOTr in its efforts to achieve the best value for money for upcoming transportation infrastructure procurements in the aviation sector.

The advisors, to be selected by the DOTr from qualified US firms, will provide strategic and technical procurement assistance to help the DOTr establish transparent and high quality procurement practices, which will contribute to the sustainable development of the country’s aviation infrastructure.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the grant would help ensure that Filipinos would get the infrastructure projects that they deserve.

“The Philippine government is steadfast in its efforts to curb corruption,” Tugade said.

US Ambassador Sung Kim, who signed on behalf of USTDA, said the grant would help ensure that Philippine procurement officials are able to make informed decisions on infrastructure projects in the aviation sector.

“This grant demonstrates our countries’ mutual commitment to obtaining the highest quality and best value for public funds,” USTDA’s director for Global Programs Andrea Lupo said.

The grant marks the third phase of USTDA’s ongoing partnership with the Philippines under USTDA’s Global Procurement Initiative: Understanding Best Value.

The initiative helps public procurement officials establish practices and policies that integrate life-cycle cost analysis and best-value determination in a fair and transparent manner through training and other resources.