Thread by @KenAbante

[DOWNLOAD: Philippine Open Covid Contracts Dataset v1]

We (@wesolveph @covidbudgetph @HivosROSEA)
are releasing for public use our study+dataset+code on P20 billion worth of covid-related government contracts in the Philippines.

Grateful for feedback.

wesolve.ph/research/stren…

1/ Our open contracting dataset covers:
- 581 contracts with 120 variables
- 2,832 items with 11 variables
- worth P20 billion (60% of value of publicly available contracts as of 3 Aug 2020)
- internal + market prices
- code for price analysis
- raw files
- data documentation

2/ We used this Philippine Open Covid Contracts Dataset in our @wesolveph @covidbudgetph @HivosROSEA research:

"Strengthening Procurement in the Time of a Pandemic: Evidence from the Philippines"

with @golaurencego @ishqmeraki J. Ramos @reina_reyes E. Rosales @joseruedatweets

3/ Jose Rueda, Ella Rosales, and I presented our team's findings during the Open Government Week @opengovPH session co-hosted by @R2KRN_PH @wesolveph @covidbudgetph this morning.

Facebook Live Stream:
16m30s - 48m00s

facebook.com/opengovPH/vide…

4/ Key findings:

P13.3 billion of items (66% of value) did not have sufficient descriptions to compare price or quality.

P319 to P550 million in possible savings if high-priced goods bought at median (+10%) prices*

*high risk items, but can't conclude fraud given limited docs.

5/ While our research cannot be used to conclude fraud or corruption, we share a method for quantifying and mitigating risk in new rounds of covid-related purchases and future emergencies.

Method can be used to identify priority contracts to check, given limited time.

6/ Here are our key recos to improve procurement data quality and to mitigate systemic risks in procurement by engaging civil society.

We invite everyone to critique, build on, improve our Philippine open covid contracts dataset to engage with the procuring entities you know.

7/ To make open contracting inclusive, we need to listen to and learn from experiences of local organizers.

We invite everyone to read through these local case studies, critiques, and reviews, esp those by @joyaceron_ph @gwatch_ph @mikorulez @karolilagan @ANSA_EAP @BantayKita

8/ Here are some proposed ways to collaborate in a civic movement to strengthen procurement.

Inspired by the same spirit as election integrity movements who watch votes, we too have the right and responsibility to watch government contracts that determine the use of our taxes.

9/ This study is a labor of love from a community of 24 researchers who worked with 36 people in government, journalism, academe, and civil society, to publish this study.

It really does take a village to do research. We are thankful to receive mentorship and support to do this.

10/10 Again inviting everyone to visit wesolve.ph/research/stren…

1. To download the Philippine Open Covid Contracts Dataset v1
2. To read our full report

Feedback welcome via:
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

Dyos mabalos po! :)

Hello po, @PJACaytonPhD @UPResilience @thinkdatasci @eflegara @DSCLoyola

We released the Philippine Open Covid Contracts Dataset v1, covering P20 B covid contracts as of 3 Aug 2020 under Bayanihan 1.

Would be grateful for critique + community building on our study+dataset. :)