Serving as a resource speaker for a panel discussion at the Pilipinas Conference 2024 to tackle the Philippine government’s reform agenda, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman discussed the salient points of the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA), with emphasis on provisions that foster transparency and accountability geared toward good governance and responsive public service.
Deemed as the biggest anti-graft and corruption law, the enactment of the NGPA effectively amended the country’s decades-old procurement law, putting digital transformation at its core. In discussing this, Sec. Pangandaman highlighted the Electronic Marketplace, or the eMarketplace, of the Procurement Service-DBM (PS-DBM). As an additional feature of the PS-DBM’s modernized Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS), the eMarketplace shall serve as the government’s official e-commerce platform for procurement of Common-use Supplies and Equipment (CSE).
The new and revised modes of procurement under NGPA were also tackled, ultimately improving competition and public participation by ensuring inclusivity and sustainability of the public procurement process.
“A strong and efficient procurement system is a cornerstone of the Bagong Pilipinas we all envision: a nation where citizens can rely on the transparent, accountable, and efficient use of government resources,” said Sec. Pangandaman who participated virtually through a live video broadcast from Singapore.
Fostering transparency and accountability through the NGPA
Following the Budget Chief’s discussion was a forum to exchange insights on and reactions to the topic among the panelists including PS-DBM Executive Director Genmaries “Gen” S. Entredicho-Caong. Together with her were Dr. Francisco Magno of the La Salle Institute of Governance, Dr. Philip Arnold Tuaño of the Ateneo School of Governance, and Dr. Jamil Paolo Francisco of the Asian Institute of Management.
The talk centered on procurement controversies that hounded various government projects through the years, bringing to light the challenges and loopholes in the country’s procurement system that could possibly lead to corruption.
“There’s a lot of provisions that strengthen transparency and accountability in the NGPA,” said ED Gen.
Among many features, ED Gen elaborated on how the new law can combat potential irregularities through various measures such as mandatory scoping, declaration of beneficial ownership information; open data contracting; video recording and/or livestream of procurement procedures; participatory procurement, and domestic preference.
Echoing the need to push for the digital transformation of the public procurement process, ED Gen also underscored that the utilization of online platforms for procurement activities such as through the eBidding Facility of the modernized PhilGEPS where bids are submitted online results in less human intervention, consequently reducing potential cases of corruption.
Dr. Tuaño, speaking for the academe, seconded the existence of these new provisions and manifested PS-DBM’s support to their sector to ensure that the integrity of the procurement process remains intact.
“We've also been supported by the Procurement Service. There's been a lot of talk about providing more training and workshops for people to monitor the procurement process,” he said.
With the theme, “Navigating a Complex Geostrategic Landscape: Building Resilience through Cohesive Cross-Sectoral Collaboration in 2025,” the Pilipinas Conference 2024 was organized by Stratbase Group to initiate essential and critical dialogues, ignite new ideas, strengthen cooperation, and develop strategic realignment among leaders in the midst of pressing issues facing the Philippine society today and beyond. These include economic integration, national security, good governance, and sustainable development.
Along with Sec. Mina, ED Gen, and other government officials, representatives from the business sector, diplomatic community, think tanks, and civil society organizations also participated—altogether advancing multi-sectoral collaboration to shape policies that address the complex social, political, and economic challenges in the country.
The event was held from November 6-7, 2024 at the Manila Polo Club in Makati. | November 8, 2024/KR