To empower small-scale supply manufacturers and cooperatives, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), to participate in government procurement, the Procurement Service - Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) joined the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in its ‘Walis Suppliers Visit’ in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental—touching base with potential suppliers and cooperatives of brooms (walis tambo).
Represented by Deputy Executive Director (DED) for Information and Communications Technology and Procurement Group, Rommel D. Rivera, and Acting Director for Procurement Office Atty. April Flor Borlagdatan-Vejano, PS-DBM took part in the ocular inspection in Barangay Bal-ason on March 7, 2025, allowing them to closely observe the method of production of brooms—classified as a common-use supply and equipment (CSE) in the PS-DBM Catalogue.
This was followed by the ‘Walis Project Meeting.’ In this activity, PS-DBM sat down with the city’s agricultural cooperatives and local business leaders, as well as with officials and representatives of DTI and the Cooperative and Development Authority (CDA).
PS-DBM’s DED Rivera and Director Borlagdatan-Vejano, as part of the program, discussed the recent developments in the policies and operations of PS-DBM, with emphasis on the utilization of the eMarketplace as the Philippine Government’s official e-commerce platform for the procurement of CSE. As an additional feature of the modernized Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS), the eMarketplace is seen as a platform for selling brooms, enabling MSMEs to have greater market access. The criteria and requirements for the brooms were also tackled.
The potential inclusion of brooms in the eMarketplace is a key provision stipulated in the tripartite agreement among the DBM, through PS-DBM; the DTI; and the CDA. Presently being finalized, the memorandum of agreement shall provide a framework in assisting MSMEs and cooperatives involved in the production and sales of affordable and high-quality cleaning and janitorial supplies such as brooms to participate in the government bidding process.
PS-DBM, for its part, is mainly tasked to review technical specifications, assist in the supplier registration in PhilGEPS, and onboarding of items in its virtual stores, among others—all of which are geared towards leveling the playing field, and promoting inclusivity and healthier competition among merchants. Alongside this opportunity is the boost in the digital transformation of the procurement process across all sectors.
Ultimately, this mutual cooperation is aligned with the recent enactment of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 12009 or the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA), a legislative measure that ensures equal opportunity for all eligible and qualified suppliers, including MSMEs. This likewise supports R.A. No. 11981 or the Tatak Pinoy Act, which aims to enhance the competitiveness of local industries in the global market and fosters the production of high-quality goods and services.
The meeting concluded with a recap of key takeaways and future directions. Earlier on the same day, courtesy call on City Mayor Erick G. Cañosa took place, where the project details were presented and other collaborative opportunities were explored. | March 13, 2025/GD