Senator Edgardo Angara has authored a bill that will regulate and promote a transparent and non-discriminatory manner in the acquisition of Information and Communications Technology solutions, a government press release said.

The bill seeks to establish a neutral policy in the government's selection and procurement of ICT solutions — based on product quality and the current and future needs of the state.

"In today's rapidly evolving ICT landscape, the freedom of customizing the technological systems is essential so that each component is chosen based on its own merits," Angara said.

S.B. 2670 or the proposed Information and Communications Technology Choice Act of 2011 was filed early in February at the Senate.

The bill discourages vendor lock-ins rooted in political reasons, which discourage genuine research and development, and reduce competitiveness among the system providers, the press release said.

The Government Procurement Policy Board, the Commission on Information and Communications Technology and the Commission on Audit will be jointly responsible for the implementation of this policy.

"An Act Requiring Technological Choice in the Government's Procurement of Information and Communication Technology Standards and Solutions" has been referred to the Committee on Science and Technology after its First Reading, the press release said.*

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