engage in unfair business practices with fines reaching up to P250 million. The PCA further strengthens competition law enforcement by giving the Department of Justice’s Office for Competition a more focused mandate – investigating and prosecuting the most egregious anticompetitive behavior (cartels). For details, refer to Website for further information: Contact point for further details: Head Office for Competition Department of Justice Padre Faura, Ermita Manila, Philippines Tel: (632) 521-2941 loc. 388 Fax: (632) 524-2230 E-mail: competition@doj.gov.ph; gls.doj@gmail.com Government Procurement Maintained the Philippine Government Procurement System (PhilGEPS) as the central electronic portal on government procurement. It operates the Electronic Bulletin Board, the Supplier’s Registry, the Electronic Catalogue, the Virtual Store and the Merchant’s Registry System. In the process of reviewing the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9184, including proposed amendments, to adapt to the changes in the procurement environment. The Government Procurement Policy Board-Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO) implemented the “Professionalization Program for Public Procurement Practitioners”. Training modules were reviewed, revised, and improved based on current local and international best practices on procurement vis-à-vis the provisions of Republic Act No. 9184 and its revised Implementing Rules and Regulations and allied issuances. As part of the professionalization program, conducted a pilot training for government procurement Conduct a study on the establishment of an independent complaints or protest review body. Development of a framework to sustain an ensure the participation of civil society organizations in procurement monitoring. Amend the Blacklisting Guidelines and study the possibility of implementing a Cross-Debarment policy with International Financing Institutions . Conduct the possibility of adopting a wider policy on Framework Agreements (e.g., agreement or arrangement between buying authorities). Study the fluctuation factor formula for Price Escalation. Further strengthen the procurement monitoring and enforcement institutions and mechanisms of the government through an online
practitioners to serve as trainers for the roll out of the professionalization program. Improved transparency through Administrative Order No. 46, Series of 2015, which requires the submission of the Annual Procurement Plan (APP) to the Government Procurement Policy Board-Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO) within the first month of the year to speed up procurement procedures. Included in Government Procurement Policy Board website the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines’ updated and consolidated list of blacklisted contractors (as of 31 July 2015). monitoring and assessment platform, i.e. the Online Procurement Performance and Compliance Indicator System (OPPCIS) Create the GPPB Institute. Link professionalization of public procurement practitioners with the procurement competency framework that will provide a concrete selection approach for government personnel who will be designated as Bids and Awards Committee, Secretariat and Technical Working Group members. Develop/create procurement program (Masteral Degree, Diploma Program or Certificate Course) within respective educational institutions.
Mobility of Business People Implemented Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Department Order No. 146-15, “Revised Rules for the Issuance of Employment Permits to Foreign Nationals” which excluded the several categories of natural persons from securing Alien Employment Permit (AEP). The APEC Business Travel Card’s (ABTC) validity was extended from 3 years to 5 years effective 01 Sept 2015. Implemented Foreign Service Circular 95-2014 which extends temporary visitors’ visa-free entry to the Philippines from 21 days to 30 days. To date, 157 countries benefit from this law. For more information, please see: Implement the online application system in securing AEP. Implement a Philippine Skilled Occupational Shortage List. Foreign nationals will be exempted from the publication requirement and payment of publication fee. Streamline ABTC operations to include online applications and local priniting of ABTC cards for Filipino businessmen. Assignment of dedicated personnel for ABTC processing and the development of revised guidelines on ABTC application and renewals are under consideration. Website for further information: http://www.dfa.gov.ph/