The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the new implementation guidelines on the government’s e-marketplace for procurement, as it sets the stage for the pilot launch.
In a statement, the DBM said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has green lit the revised Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) Resolution No. 06-2024 titled “Approving the Proposed Guidelines for the Pilot Implementation of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System Electronic Marketplace.”
“With the release of the new guidelines, we are now moving forward to the trial phase of our eMarketplace. We are pleased with the progress of our digitalization efforts for procurement systems, especially since it has only been a few months since the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA) was enacted,” Pangandaman said.
NGPA or Republic Act No. 12009, signed into law on July 20, aims to modernize and enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability across procurement processes.
A cornerstone of this legislation has been the strengthening of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System and the establishment of the e-Marketplace.
The digital platform streamlines procurement activities by offering a centralized online system where government requirements are met with greater accessibility and clarity under a robust legal framework.
According to the DBM, the new guidelines introduce specific changes and improvements that would ensure a successful pilot and eventual nationwide implementation.
The pilot phase will focus on specific common-use supplies and equipment (CSE), particularly motor vehicles, airline tickets, cloud computing services and software licenses, to guarantee that the e-Marketplace is tested in a controlled and measurable environment.
Each CSE will undergo rigorous validation by the Procurement Service-DBM to confirm compliance with technical standards and readiness for inclusion.
The guidelines were developed by the GPPB through consultations with government agencies.
Feedback from stakeholders was carefully integrated to align the e-Marketplace’s features with the practical needs of its users.
Provisions allow procuring entities (PEs) to source CSEs from other suppliers under specific circumstances, such as stock unavailability or when other options are more efficient, practical or economically viable, as expressly provided in RA No. 12009.
To streamline the procurement process, the e-Marketplace will make use of electronic signatures and payments.
An automated system will handle submission and processing of procurement requests, reducing paperwork and delays.
For smoother adoption, detailed training modules and support systems will be provided. the DBM said. These will equip users with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively use the platform.
