Forming part of the Philippine Open Government Partnership’s Open Government Week 2026, the Procurement Service–Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) conducted an information session on the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on May 18, 2026, at the PS-DBM Main Office.
Funded by the European Union in the Philippines through the “Strengthening Transparency, Accountability, and Integrity in Public Procurement” Programme and administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP Philippines), the orientation gathered representatives from CSOs, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and academic institutions to equip them with knowledge and skills needed to maximize the features of the modernized PhilGEPS under the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA) in public monitoring of procurement activities.
In her opening remarks, PS-DBM Executive Director (ED) Genmaries Entredicho-Caong underscored the vital role of CSOs in ensuring transparency, accountability, and integrity in public procurement.
“We value our partnership with our civil society monitor. Through our strengthened engagement with CSOs, we move closer to a procurement system that is not only efficient but also inclusive and open,” ED Gen expressed.
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During the session, participants were immersed in a comprehensive discussion on PhilGEPS registration for CSOs, the eBidding Facility, the enhanced Open Data Portal, and a hands-on activity on Observation Report submission.
The event also featured briefings on Beneficial Ownership and its use in CSO monitoring initiatives, led by the Securities and Exchange Commission Philippines (SEC), and an Open Data Visualization Workshop, facilitated by the UNDP and WeSolve Foundation.
“Using open data requires careful interpretation and responsible use. It is not about jumping to conclusions, but about asking better questions, looking for evidence, and understanding the bigger picture,” said Ms. Chrissie Tan, Data Analyst from UNDP, as she encouraged the participants to continue exploring the features of the modernized PhilGEPS.
To conclude the event, Department of Budget and Management Undersecretary Maria Francesca M. Del Rosario, together with the participants, expressed their commitment to open government in public procurement through the signing of the exhibit board.
In conjunction with the information sessions, the PhilGEPS one-stop hub and government service booths are open throughout the event to accommodate personal transactions, documentation, and government-related inquiries.
