By Arjay L. Balinbin

MALACAÑANG on Tuesday, Jan. 30, issued Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 39 requiring all heads of national government agencies (NGAs), government owned and/or controlled corporations (GOCCs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and local government units (LGUs) to submit to the Office of the President (OP) a report on funds transferred to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)- Procurement Service (PS) for the purpose of procuring various supplies, equipment, and infrastructure projects.

MC 39, which was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea last Jan. 26, cited Section 28, Article II of the 1987 Constitution, which “provides that the State shall adopt and implement a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest.”

The memorandum also stressed that it is the policy of the State to promote good governance and to adhere to the principles of transparency, accountability, equity, efficiency, and economy in its procurement process.

The Palace highlighted in the memorandum that its purpose is “for monitoring and evaluation purposes.”

All reports on funds transferred to DBM-PS “as of 31 December 2017” shall “be submitted on/or before 31 March 2018,” the MC 39 said.

ADB’S 51ST ANNUAL MEETING
The Palace also released certified copies of the MC No.38 enjoining all appropriate government agencies to support the Philippine hosting of the 51st annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank board of governors, to be held in Manila on May 3 to 6 this year.

The memorandum was signed by Mr. Medialdea last Jan. 7.

The Palace stated in the MC that “there is a need to constitute a Steering Committee composed of relevant agencies that shall manage and supervise all tasks and activities relative to the Philippine hosting to enjoin all other government agencies to provide support and assistance.”

The MC added that the Steering Committee that will take charge of the coordination, preparation and arrangement for the Philippine hosting of the said event is composed of secretary of finance as chairperson, and members such as Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Secretary of Budget and Management, Secretary of Trade and Industry, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Secretary of Public Works and Highways, Secretary of Transportation, and Secretary of the Interior and Local Government.

The members, including the chairperson, as stated in the MC, “may designate and authorize their respective representatives to the Steering Committee.”

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