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Kiko pushes procurement guidelines to benefit farmers and fisherfolks: Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan expresses his dismay over the “foot-dragging” in the approval of the Manual on Community Participation in Government Procurement, particularly the guidelines on direct purchases from farmers and fisherfolks. During Wednesday’s hearing of Finance Subcommittee A on the proposed budget of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) October 20, 2021, Pangilinan said the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) had promised to approve it in September and it is now long-overdue. Sen. Sonny Angara, chairman of the Committee on Finance, agreed with Pangilinan that GPPB “should show some urgency” on the matter. “I have been very patient all throughout this year following this up with your office (GPPB), and apparently my patience has not resulted in any result at this time, and you're still saying in this hearing that you probably will meet if not on November 20, maybe November 25… if that's the case, maybe we should defer this hearing until then, and then decide on your budget when you approve it, the guidelines,” Pangilinan said. GPPB Exec. Dir. Rowena Ruiz committed to facilitate the submission of comments by board members and to undertake special meetings to discuss the guidelines. (Screen grab/Senate PRIB)