Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman highlighted the DBM’s commitment to explore the digitalization in the procurement processes as part of the administration’s vision of bureaucratic efficiency.
Pangandaman made the statement during her opening remarks at the 44th Anniversary of the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) held today, October 18, 2022.
“As you may know, I’ve always expressed my full support for the PS-DBM. I still believe in the potential of PS-DBM to deliver on its objective to save the government billions of pesos through bulk procurement and market price monitoring and validation, ensuring that the Filipino people get the most of every peso entrusted to the government,” the Budget Chief said.
Sec. Pangandaman stressed the valuable contribution of PS-DBM in increasing government savings as exemplified by the 18-billion pesos worth of savings it generated during the leadership of then DBM Secretary Benjamin Diokno.
Furthermore, she expressed her commitment in working with PS-DBM through its Executive Director, Dennis Santiago, in fostering hard work, integrity, and service to the people.
“In this light, I am determined to bring back the good name of PS-DBM and I know that with Ed Dennis Santiago and all of you here, we can achieve this,” Pangandaman said.
“In fact, ED Santiago and I met with World Bank Country Director Ndiame Diop last week to discuss technical assistance in this aspect. I am certain we will have systems in place soon for PS-DBM that not only we but the whole country can be proud of, “ she added.
During her recent meeting with World Bank officials, the DBM Secretary discussed prospective collaboration and partnership to initiate and implement reforms in the Philippine government’s procurement law.
Pangandaman further underscored, in the same World Bank meeting, the government’s agenda to maximize the use of digitalization in ensuring transparency and generating savings on the public procurement process and indicated timely reforms in government procurement process.
By virtue of Letter of Instructions No. 755 dated October 18, 1978, PS-DBM was established as an integrated procurement system for the national government and its instrumentalities.
The agency is mandated to serve as the central procurement arm for the common use of government supplies. Its creation is consistent with the adoption of a procurement policy of economic and efficient manner of purchasing government materials.
