Centered on updates in public procurement ushered in by the passage of Republic Act No. 12009, otherwise known as the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA), the discussion of PS-DBM was facilitated by Executive Director (ED) Genmaries “Gen” S. Entredicho-Caong. 

With significant contributions in the passage of the NGPA, having worked closely with the DBM and the Government Procurement Policy Board - Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO), ED Gen highlighted how the new procurement law institutionalizes the use of PS-DBM’s Virtual Store and eMarketplace—e-commerce platforms developed by PS-DBM through the modernization of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (mPhilGEPS).

Both the Virtual Store and the eMarketplace enable procuring entities to “add to cart” their common-use supplies and equipment (CSE) requirements, ensuring efficiency and transparency in the procurement process. In using these platforms, procurement is right at the client-agencies’ fingertips, with only a few clicks to search, view, select, and purchase CSE.

Designed for budget officers, members of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), BAC Secretariats, members of Technical Working Group, end-user representatives, and representatives of various government agencies, the training also featured other insightful discussions on strategic procurement planning and modes of procurement, among others. Apart from ED Gen, former PS-DBM ED and now Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Managing Director, Atty. Dennis Santiago, held a talk.

PS-DBM recognizes the relevance of regional engagements such as this, in view of its expanded mandate under the NGPA to operate a centralized procurement of CSE for the whole of government, including local government units—building a system that is not only modern, efficient, and  transparent, but also far-reaching and inclusive. | June 20, 2025/PM