Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Mina F. Pangandaman wishes to express her gratitude to the Senate for the swift approval of the Senate Bill No. 2593, or the proposed New Government Procurement Act (NGPA) which aims to improve and modernize the government procurement system in the country.

 

 

"We have nothing but gratitude to the Senate leadership, especially to Senator Sonny Angara, who authored and sponsored the bill and have been with us in pushing for the modernization of the government's central procurement system," Secretary Pangandaman said.

 

"This is also a huge achievement for the PS-DBM, headed by Executive Director Atty. Dennis S. Santiago, as well as the Government Procurement Policy Board - Technical Support Office, led by Executive Director Rowena Ruiz, as they have contributed significantly in drafting the bill. We are very much looking forward to the enactment of this important measure that will promote a government procurement system that is efficient, transparent, reliable, and accountable," the Budget Secretary added.

 

To recall, the House of Representatives likewise approved the procurement reform bill, which seeks to amend the decades-old Republic Act No. 9184, on 12 December 2023.

 

The NGPA, considered a priority by the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council, includes key reforms aimed at putting an end to side deals, under-the-table agreements, uncompetitive behavior, corruption, and other criminal activities. Amendments were introduced to make government procurement more transparent, competitive, streamlined, sustainable, and inclusive.

 

Notable among the proposed amendments is the adoption of an electronic procurement system known as the eMarketplace that shall digitalize the procurement of common-use supplies and equipment by serving as the government e-commerce platform.

 

"As what I would always emphasize, the perfect time to amend the decades-old procurement law is now," Secretary Pangandaman expressed.