The Procurement Service – Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) conferred 10 awards to various government agencies, including regional offices and local government units, at the One in Procurement and Service 2024 held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on February 29, 2024.
Dedicated to commemorate the decades-long commitment of its client-agencies to accountable, efficient, and transparent procurement, the event was the first of its kind for PS-DBM, which bannered the theme, “Transformative Public Service in the Digital Age.”
This was also the highlight of DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman’s keynote speech.
“This event speaks volumes about PS-DBM’s commitment to achieving the government’s Agenda for Prosperity, leveraging digitalization towards bureaucratic efficiency and improved public service delivery,” Sec. Pangandaman said, with emphasis on the on-going efforts to amend the Government Procurement Reform Act that shall digitalize the public procurement process through the modernization of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS).
Echoing the same message, PS-DBM Executive Director (ED) Dennis S. Santiago presented the agency’s 12-Point Agenda — a transformational initiative to institute policy reforms in PS-DBM.
“To my dear and honorable colleagues in government… the transformation of PS-DBM through progressive reforms is now in full swing. With these favorable developments, PS-DBM needs your support more than ever to realize our targets and actualize our desired results… We are thankful to all of you for being our constant pillars of support through our many years of Procurement and Service,” ED Santiago said.
Another highlight of the event was the preview of PS-DBM’s electronic marketplace, or eMarketplace — an e-commerce platform for the Common-use Supplies and Equipment (CSE) offered by PS-DBM. PhilGEPS Director Dr. Maria Teresita M. Semana discussed the benefits and process flow of the eMarketplace, among others. After which was a series of talks by partner-merchants featuring their products and services that are soon to be offered as CSE by PS-DBM, including government motor vehicles, cloud computing services, and airline tickets. Land Bank of the Philippines, meanwhile, provided an overview of the Government Purchase Card (GPC) — a program aimed at facilitating a more streamlined and efficient payment method for the procurement of goods and services.
At the heart of the program was the ceremonial awarding of accolades namely, Tugatog, Sulong, Sibol, Bagwis, Himpapawid, Sigasig, Kaagapay, Tala, Huwaran, and Ugnayan awards.
These were bestowed upon the following government agencies: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP); Department of Health (DOH); Quezon City Government; University of the Philippines–Manila (UPM); Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center; Municaplity of Naic, Cavite; Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA); University of the Philippines–Los Banos (UPLB); Department of Budget and Management (DBM); Department of Education (DepED); National Youth Commission (NYC); 114th Contracting Office for Infrastructure, AFPPS; City of Himamaylan, Negros Occidental; Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF); University of the Philippines–Diliman (UPD); Government Procurement Policy Board–Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO); Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP); Clark Development Corporation (CDC); Department of Information and Communications Technology (DITC) Region VII; DOH Region X; Games and Amusements Board; Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA); Philippine National Police (PNP); and the Supreme Court.
A panel discussion also formed part of the program, opening the floor to questions addressed to the PS-DBM Executive Committee, composed of ED Santiago; Dr. Semana; Director for Procurement Group, Atty. Genmaries S. Entredicho-Caong; Director for Operations Group, Atty. Philip Josef T. Vera Cruz; Director for Administrative and Finance Group, Ms. Samantha Grace E. Moscoso; and Director for Regional Operations Group, Engr. Jaime M. Navarrete, Jr.
The event was attended by 142 high-ranking officials and representatives from a total of 76 government agencies — some of whom also delivered testimonials about their positive experiences in transacting with PS-DBM.
Recognizing the success of the event, ED Santiago ended his remarks on a high note. “The future of PS-DBM is brighter than ever. And let me say this: the future of PS-DBM will not happen today, nor will it start right now. It has already begun!” he concluded.