I am recently the VP for advocacy in our dearest Butuan City Chamber of Commerce. And honestly, I have no idea on what is my purpose. That was before I attended a training seminar held at Cagayan de Oro City from May 8 to 10, 2007. The Seminar is primarily about the Ways to Monitor the Implementation of Procured Goods or Services in government agencies. Present were members of non-government organizations (NGO’s) and Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s). Sponsors were Procurement Watch Inc. (PWI), Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) and with funding support from the European Union (EU). Representatives were from Cagayan de Oro City, Marawi City, Zamboanga City, Pangantukan (Bukidnon) and Butuan City ( Represented by the Butuan City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. )

The three-day activity is designed to familiarize the participants on the provisions of the Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA) and its implementing rules and regulations, understand the prescribed procedure and rules governing contract implementation, and appreciate the techniques and strategies of monitoring contract implementation.

The Trainers included speakers from Ateneo de Manila’s Government-Watch or G-Watch (Mr. Dondon Parafina), Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Governance (CCAGG) represented by Engr. Ruel Bosque and Engr. Rene Brasuela , Office of the Ombudsman (Ms. Maria Melinda Mananghaya - Field Investigation Office-OMB) and Ms. Heidi Mendoza (formerly from COA head office / PWI Consultant).

G-Watch discussed the proper ways in the Monitoring of Contract implementation for Procured Goods in government agencies. While the CCAGG discussed approaches in Independent Monitoring of Infrastructure Projects. Ombudsman’s office showed ways to monitor government employees by means of Lifestyle Checks, while there were lectures in Consultancy Contracts and Internal Revenue Allotment Watch (IRA-Watch) by Mrs. Heidi Mendoza.

There were open forums, role playing, and workshop exercises participated in by the group. We learned ways of detecting symptoms of “Red Flags” in contract implementation monitoring on almost all of the process until its payment. After hearing the testimonies of the said speakers, I could say that there is still hope in the prevention of graft and corruption in our Government. This could be done only if “WE” help. So let us try to start it in our own city and let this be OUR CRY FOR ADVOCACY.