Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) Regional Depot (RD) Cebu succeeded in expanding PS-DBM’s network of suppliers as new merchants registered in the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) following their discussion on PhilGEPS registration and compliance procedures during the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VII’s (Central Visayas) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) Dunong Forum sa Siete, held on November 11-12 and November 14, 2025 in Tagbiliran City and Cebu City, respectively.
Facilitated by Frederick Porras and Joshua Talam of the Depot Management Division Visayas-Cebu, under the PS-DBM Regional Operations Office, the discussion highlighted the advantages of registering in PhilGEPS in preparation for the merchants’ engagement in market opportunities as microenterprises.
More than 50 SLP Association presidents and officers were present, gaining a better understanding of the requirements and corresponding procedures when using the electronic procurement system. When registered, these associations are eligible for public bidding through Community Participation of the Negotiated Procurement mode.
In a letter from DSWD Central Visayas Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero, through DBM VII Regional Director Maricor U. Baquial, the discussion on PhilGEPS registration is critical to ensuring SLP Association’s compliance with government procurement standards and processes, consequently expanding their market reach.
The PS-DBM Cebu was also with representatives from the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Cooperative Development Authority for other comprehensive discourses on institutional accreditations.
PS-DBM, as a champion of inclusive procurement, signed a memorandum of agreement with DTI in August this year to establish a working arrangement in assisting small-scale supply manufacturers and cooperatives in their bid to join government procurement opportunities—enabling a larger market access for local businesses. | November 17, 2025/KB