Open Data: Ordinary Juans can check gov't transactions

MANILA - Budget Secretary Butch Abad on Wednesday said the public can now scrutinize government transactions with the launch of Open Data Philippines. Abad said the information in the website can help answer many of the public's questions and spur citizen participation in instituting reforms. The reforms come ahead of the 10th anniversary of the Government Procurement Reform Act on Friday. "We are definitely better off with the GPRA than without it, but 10 years into its implementation we must address shortcomings in procurement regulations and processes and make it responsive to the times like emergencies brought about by climate change," he said. "Our reforms will be for naught if our citizens don't have a role in it moreso if they don't see the concrete and meaningful benefit of reform in their lives." ANC DATELINE PHILIPPINES, January 15, 2014