The Procurement Service - Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) conducted the first session of its series of procurement information drives on March 16, 2023, aimed at providing a better familiarization of the documentary requirements for bid submission among suppliers and interested bidders of PS-DBM.
Organized by the PS-DBM Procurement Group, the activity comprised of a morning and an afternoon session to discuss the templates and forms of the documentary requirements constituting the bids. Participants were also apprised of the updates under the 2016 revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act.
For her part, PS-DBM Procurement Group Director Atty. Genmaries S. Entredicho-Caong shared the developments in the procurement and contracting process that PS-DBM is working on. These are, to name a few, the review of technical specifications of the common-use supplies and equipment (CSE) and incorporation of more green parameters; the consideration of multi-year framework agreement; and, the faster and more convenient payment process to the suppliers through the List of Due and Demandable Accounts Payable – Advice to Debit Accounts (LDDAP-ADA).
Beyond the technical discussion was the forging of partnership through creating a purposeful dialogue between PS-DBM and its partner merchants and suppliers. In his message to the attendees, Executive Director (E.D.) Atty. Dennis S. Santiago said that this initiative seeks to touch base with PS-DBM’s “partners to progress” ultimately geared towards creating a level playing field
“Pakiusap ko po sa inyong lahat, I’m knocking on the door of your hearts: let us not game the system… When we’re gaming the system, nobody wins,” he said.
Highlighting transparency and accountability as among the pillars of procurement, E.D. Santiago also reiterated his position against all forms and manifestations of corruptible behavior.
“Uulitin ko po, hindi niyo kailangang mag-abot [ng kahit ano] para manalo… Kung nanalo kayo, you’ll be proud and there is integrity in that win because you won fairly,” he emphasized.
With the goal to establish a more transparent, well-accounted for, and competitive bidding arena that caters more market operators and participants, and encourage more and new players, PS-DBM is determined to facilitate more sessions of this orientation.