The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) rolled out the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) eMarketplace— an innovation directive by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for implementation.
“With the eMarketplace, government agencies or procuring entities can now just ‘Add to Cart’ or directly purchase their common-use supplies and equipment (CSE) requirements from competent and reputable suppliers. With only a few clicks, we can now purchase the same way we would shop in Shopee or Lazada using our digital devices, shortening the tedious process of regular procurement from three months to just 60 days,” said DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.
The digital platform was unveiled on Dec. 13, 2024 in a ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
“With the guidance of DBM, under the excellent leadership of Sec. Mina, the PS-DBM conquered, and we have been relentless since then in reinforcing our mandate as the central procuring arm for common use supplies and equipment for the whole of government including local government units,” said Procurement Service-DBM executive director Genmaries Entredicho-Caong.
The eMarketplace, a component of the updated PhilGEPS, helps combat corruption by verifying merchants and suppliers, ensuring they meet the technical specifications and budget requirements set by procuring entities.
Pangandaman also lauded the swift completion of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) draft ahead of schedule.
“Through the collaboration of DBM, the Government Procurement Policy Board-Technical Support Office and the PS-DBM, we now have a draft IRR available for stakeholder comments and inputs, in line with our commitment to incorporating open government values in procurement reform” she said.
The eMarketplace is designed to be inclusive, offering opportunities for MSMEs, social enterprises and women-led businesses to participate in government procurement by simplifying the registration and bidding process.
This is aligned with the government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable and marginalized sectors.
“As we progress, along with digital transformation, we are confident that the eMarketplace will work not only as a digital tool for centralized procurement but also as a catalyst for good governance, economic development, and social progress,” said PS-DBM deputy executive director Rommel Rivera.
