The Procurement Service – Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) ended its milestone anniversary celebrations on a high note with a Gala Night at the Philippine International Convention Center on October 20, 2023, gathering employees and officials led by DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.
In his opening remarks, PS-DBM Executive Director (ED) Atty. Dennis Santiago highlighted the fulfillment of historic achievements which now form part of the agency’s 45 years of Procurement and Service. He shared with pride the activities and engagements that took place leading to the event.
The Inter-agency Sportsfest which began in September fostered camaraderie among players of PS-DBM and participants from DBM and the Government Procurement Policy Board – Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO). On October 15, the first ever ONE PS-DBM Fun Run was successfully held in Intramuros, Manila, gathering more than 1,500 registrants from various national and local government offices and the general public. The PS-DBM Got Talent, also the first of its kind for the agency, was facilitated during the Anniversary Day program on October 18 at the PS-DBM Main Office.
Another highlight of this year’s celebration was the in-person participation of officials and employees from the PS-DBM Regional and LGU depots in week-long activities, capped off with the 15th Annual Depot Assessment from October 19 to 20 at the Manila Prince Hotel.
ED Santiago also elaborated the undertakings of the present leadership to reform the agency. These include the selection of PS-DBM, in partnership with WeSolve Foundation, Inc., as one of the only ten grantees around the world to receive technical and financial assistance from the Open Contracting Partnership. PS-DBM’s engagement with the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) to advance green procurement was also highlighted. The on-going revision and amendment of the 20-year old Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA) was likewise brought to the fore.
“Maraming, maraming salamat… Allow me to express my profound appreciation to each of you for bringing PS-DBM to where it is now. We would not have reached this milestone without your contributions,” ED Santiago said.
Also part of the transformation efforts is the launching of the eMarketplace — a teaser video for which revealed the plans to pilot it by offering motor vehicles as a Common-use Supply and Equipment (CSE). The video likewise showcased eMarketplace as a feature of the modernized Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) that will enable PS-DBM to identify items or goods and set criteria or technical specifications for market operators to comply with. Government agencies will then be able to choose from a variety of options fit for their intended use and allowed budget.
Pangandaman, Diokno, former EDs assert support for PS-DBM
Staying true to its modern Filipiniana theme, the program commenced with a performance that featured cultural dances of tribes from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. This was accompanied by Bayang Barrios’ “Bagong Umaga” song — an excerpt from which was quoted by Sec. Pangandaman in her keynote speech.
Describing it as one of her favorite songs, Bagong Umaga seems to have captured Sec. Pangandaman’s message to the PS-DBM workforce amid the circumstances surrounding the agency.
“Gaano man kabigat ang dinadala, gaano man ang hirap na nadarama… Walang pasanin ang hindi gumagaan, walang pagsubok na hindi nalalampasan,” she echoed.
She went on to say that from when she was appointed as the Budget Secretary, it was the issues concerning PS-DBM that hounded her most back then. “But as always… hindi po namin pinabayaan ang PS-DBM. I have been very consistent from day one, hindi po ako papayag sa abolishment ng PS-DBM,” she added, drawing claps and cheers from the audience.
Former DBM Chief and now Secretary of the Department of Finance, Benjamin Diokno, also manifested his unwavering support. In his video message, Sec. Diokno underscored the crucial role of PS-DBM to enable other government agencies to make public services more efficient by providing them with resources for operational continuity and resilience.
“The job will never be easy, but I have every confidence in the exceptional leadership of Sec. Pangandaman and the unwavering dedication of the PS-DBM team day in and day out,” Sec. Diokno said.
Both Sec. Pangandaman and Sec. Diokno also stressed the contributions of PS-DBM to the overall improvement of public financial management as it pushes for the proposed GPRA amendments, digital transformation of the public procurement process through the modernized PhilGEPS, green procurement, and open government, among others.
Apart from the economic managers as Guests of Honor, former EDs of PS-DBM also graced the occasion.
Atty. Estanislao Granados, Jr., Atty. Jose Tomas Syquia, Ms. Bingle Gutierrez, and Ms. Elisa May Arboleda-Cuevas aired the same sentiment in their respective speeches.
Enumerating the accomplishments and feats that he witnessed through the years as the first and longest serving ED, Atty. Granados' moment at the rostrum was a walk down memory lane. “I want you to be proud of what we did and what I would like for you to continue… Thank you, Procurement Service. I gave you half of my life,” he said.
Other segments of the program included an intermission number of the PS-DBM Chorale; an audio visual presentation that paid tribute to PS-DBM’s journey through the years; recognition and awarding of retiree; announcement of the evening’s Bituin ng Gabi: Lakan at Lakambini; showing of the event’s same-day edit video; and socials.
“I cannot wait to make more memories with you as we all become part of the history of PS-DBM… Aasahan ko pong hindi rito nagtatapos ang kabanata ng ating kwento… Together, we shall achieve, conquer, and succeed,” ED Santiago remarked.