The Procurement Service – Department of Budget and Management’s (PS-DBM) Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) Office received the nod of approval of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) for its compliance with Republic Act No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018. The commendation came after the ARTA’s on-site inspection of the PhilGEPS Office in New Manila, Quezon City on March 17, 2025.
Mandated to monitor and evaluate compliance of government agencies with the national policy on anti-red tape, the ARTA examined the PhiGEPS’ processes to ensure its adherence to the law. In the conduct of this spot check, forming part of previous visitations for consultation, the ARTA assessors were joined by the PS-DBM Committee on Anti-Red Tape (CART), chaired by PhilGEPS Director Maria Teresita M. Semana, as well as other members of the PhilGEPS Office.
During their visit, the ARTA lauded the PhilGEPS Office’s fulfillment of the action plan it committed to achieve. Among the ARTA’s commendations, as detailed in the compliance monitoring checklist, are the presence and availability of Citizen’s Charter Information Billboard and Handbook, nameplates of personnel, and the ARTA’s information, education and communication materials around the PhilGEPS Office’s premises.
The development of feedback and complaints mechanisms, such as the establishment of a public assistance and complaints desk and the facilitation of customer satisfaction surveys, was likewise commended. The PS-DBM’s campaign against fixers was also recognized. In relation to these, PhilGEPS will look into providing other modalities to its stakeholders in raising concerns to further its efforts for bureaucratic efficiency.
Operated by PS-DBM, the PhilGEPS serves as the primary source of procurement information and channel in conduct of all procurement activities in the government. With the New Government Procurement Act being implemented, PS-DBM is mandated to continuously modernize PhilGEPS to further streamline the procurement process, with features such as the Virtual Store, eMarketplace, and eBidding Facility, among others.
The PS-DBM, in consideration of ARTA recommendations and ways forward, remains steadfast in observing measures and regulations towards easing the doing of business in the country to ensure the delivery of fast, efficient, convenient, and reliable services to its stakeholders, especially the public. | March 19, 2025/GD