by Priam Nepomuceno/PNA
The Philippine Navy will conduct its so-called “PN Procurement Forum” on Tuesday as part its efforts to address issues on procurement activities.
The activity will be held at the Rizal Park Hotel, South Road Drive in Ermita, Manila, Navy spokesperson Captain Jonathan Zata said.
“The PN will host the PN Procurement Forum bearing a theme ‘Strengthening Partnerships in Promoting Transparency and Accountability to Ensure Corruption-Free Procurement System’, to put in place systems and procedures to ensure check and balance and transparency in our procurement system. Said forum will be the first of its kind to encourage PN stakeholders to come up with measures to hasten our procurement process,” Zata said in a message Monday.
The forum will focus on the pressing challenges that limit the success of procurement activities and the resolution of issues and concerns in implementing procurement activities.
“The PN understands the current strengths and weaknesses of the PN’s procurement system, and as well as challenges which face the PN in accomplishing its policy objective as a strong and credible Navy by 2020,” the PN spokesperson stressed.
Around 00 participants from the Department of National Defense, general headquarters, logistics officers from the Philippine Navy, Army and Air Force, and local and foreign proponents of PN projects are expected to attend.
The forum is very timely considering that the PN is going through the Horizon 2 of its Modernization Program and engaging foreign and local proponents in ensuring that the planned acquisition is effectively procured, utilized and maintained.
“Consequently, challenges both in the procurement system and the proponents need to likewise be familiar with the deliberate process of the system have been identified and need to be properly addressed. The conduct therefore of the forum is intended to further identify and address these issues, promote inter-agency and multi-sectoral cooperation in highlighting best practices that can be emulated and effectively implemented,” Zata said.
The forum aims to provide an opportunity for PN logistics and financial managers to interact and learn from best practices both from the invited speakers and fellow practitioners that can be implemented by the Navy.
It also aims to highlight the potential role of a modern and credible Navy not only for national security, but also develop its naval diplomatic role by supporting national foreign policy objectives and commitments for regional maritime security.
Through this, the PN further aims to promote transparency among stakeholders in ensuring that meager resources are wisely utilized and that taxpayers’ money properly accounted for.
