Spearheaded by the Marketing and Sales Division (MSD) of the Procurement Service - Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM), a two-day training session on the use of the Virtual Store and functionalities of the modernized PhilGEPS was conducted among PS-DBM employees on April 20 and 27, 2023.
VS — a centerpiece project of the PS-DBM’s PhilGEPS (Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System) — is an online ordering platform that allows client-agencies to view, search, select, and procure Common-use Supplies and Equipment (CSE) with reduced cost. Its use and functionalities are promoted not only among the agency’s stakeholders through regular training sessions, but also in the workforce. This is aimed at adapting to the digitalization of government transactions.
The discussion covered PS-DBM’s mandate and legal bases, the PhilGEPS system and types of membership, VS registration and product information, submission of APP-CSE and its updated features, and live simulation, among others.
In his opening remarks, PS-DBM Director for Operations Group Atty. Philip Josef T. Vera Cruz emphasized the importance of VS and its ease of access. He also noted that as much as external engagements to encourage the use of VS is vital, employees’ familiarity with the online store is just as relevant
This was echoed by MSD Chief Leah Valdez, who conceived the initiative along with MSD Lead Trainer Robert Humarang.
“Dapat talaga magkaroon ng training internally. So you (colleagues) get to know PS, the Virtual Store, and PhilGEPS better,” she remarked.
The sessions were made interactive through informative ice breakers and a forum for questions and answers facilitated by Humarang and PhilGEPS trainer May Ann Chan.
The MSD and PhilGEPS Customer Service teams continue to initiate training programs that cater to all stakeholders of the agency.
VS can be accessed by client-agencies within the National Capital Region and nearby provinces. Meanwhile, those that are far from Metro Manila can visit the PS-DBM Regional/LGU Depot nearest to them.