Govt borrows P822m from local market
Wednesday, March 06, 2019
Government borrows quarterly from the local capital market to fund the national budget and also develop the market’s capacity.
On March 1, an amount of P350 million was offered under the six-month treasury bill, with total bids amounting to P548 million and the offer fully allotted. The three bonds, all existing papers which were being reopened, offered P500 million, P150 million and P100 million.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...