The administration of President R. Marcos Jr.’s partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is making an impact in the fight against corruption, directly benefiting the delivery of public services.
Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin said the Philippines’ collaboration with the UNODC, as part of its commitment under the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), has been instrumental in strengthening President Marcos’ reform agenda.
“This collaboration has been particularly evident in transforming public procurement, which directly impacts our ability to build quality schools, hospitals, roads, and bridges,” Bersamin said in a newspaper column in the Philippine Star on Saturday.
‘So when procurement processes are transparent and efficient, we have a huge impact, delivering better public services, improved infrastructure, and enhanced health care facilities that genuinely serve our people,” Bersamin added.
The Executive Secretary cited the reforms in the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA) of 2024, which resulted from the collaboration with the UNODC.
The procurement reforms include enhancing digital processes under the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and introducing an e-Marketplace modeled after popular online shopping platforms.
Bersamin highlighted a key innovation in the NGPA, wherein all prospective bidders, suppliers, contractors and consultants must now identify their ultimate owners.
“This groundbreaking provision directly addresses bid collusion, where different companies controlled by the same individual bid against each other for the same contract,” said the Executive Secretary.
He added that the disclosure requirement also helps reveal hidden conflicts of interest that might compromise the integrity of the procurement process.
“For citizens, this means greater assurance that public funds aren’t being diverted through shadow companies or manipulated bidding,” Bersamin stressed.
“For honest businesses, it creates a more level playing field where merit rather than connections determines who wins government contracts,” he continued.
With the sustained reforms, the Philippines now ranks sixth among 18 countries in the Asia Pacific Digital Nations Index and leader in Southeast Asia in digital governance.
Bersamin said collaborating with international partners, such as the UN is essential since countries learn from each other and exchange best practices while adapting solutions and global standards to local contexts.
“As we advance our vision of ‘Bagong Pilipinas,’ the Philippines’ experience offers valuable lessons on how digital transformation empowers citizens, creates transparency and establishes accountability,” the Executive Secretary stressed. | PND
