In preparation for the launching of the Modernized PhilGEPS’ (mPhilGEPS) Electronic Marketplace (eMarketplace) Facility, the Procurement Service – Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM), through its Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) Group, facilitated on June 11, 2024 the eMarketplace Hackathon 3.0 among the Procurement Management Office personnel, faculty members, and students of Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Main Campus, Manila.
Organized by the e-Government Procurement Development and Operations Division (eGPDOD) of PhilGEPS, under the leadership of Director Maria Teresita Semana, the activity forms part of the agency’s efforts to capacitate its network of client-agencies in transitioning to electronic procurement through the mPhilGEPS, with focus on the introduction of eMarketplace.
The eMarketplace is an online platform that enables procuring entities to search, view, compare, select, and procure common-use supplies and equipment (CSE) and eventually non-CSE items from legally, technically, and financially capable suppliers. Akin to known e-commerce applications for online purchasing, it aims to simplify the procurement process by having a platform where goods, along with their price and specifications, are easily accessible.
The use of eMarketplace has recently been approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and is poised to launch motor vehicles as its pilot products.
Guided by the eGPDOD facilitators, the participants were able to navigate the eMarketplace system and experience firsthand the whole process of procuring CSE from PS-DBM through the platform.
PS-DBM Executive Director Dennis Santiago, in his message, emphasized the importance of digitalizing the procurement process in putting an end to side deals, under-the-table agreements, uncompetitive behavior, and other corrupt practices.
“Sa electronic procurement mas transparent, nakikita niyo po kung anong nangyayari—‘yong presyo, magkano binili, anong technical specifications, anong mga gamit at tools ‘yong pinagpilian bago bumili… transparent at mas open,” ED Santiago said.
This was seconded by PUP President Dr. Manuel M. Muhi, stating that “the eMarketplace is a vital tool for government agencies to procure goods and services in a transparent and efficient manner.”
The eMarketplace Hackathon also provided an avenue for PS-DBM to evaluate the performance and scalability of the PhilGEPS e-marketplace under heavy load with a large number of simulated users. The Hackathon 3.0, in particular, was the first for PhilGEPS to conduct the activity outside PS-DBM involving an external stakeholder. Various PS-DBM employees, meanwhile, participated online.
PUP has consistently supported PS-DBM in its pursuit of digital transformation. In fact, it was among the awardees in the “One in Procurement and Service 2024” event in February this year, where it received the ‘Kaagapay Award’ in recognition of its role as one of the pioneer users of electronic bidding.
Capacity-building activities such as this are in line with PS-DBM’s 12-point agenda, specifically the continuous modernization of PhilGEPS, in support of the government’s thrust towards streamlining the procurement process for bureaucratic efficiency.