DBM welcomes Senate approval on proposed New Government Procurement Act bill
Mon Lazaro May 21, 2024 at 10:06 PM
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman expressed her gratitude to the Senate for the prompt approval of Senate Bill No. 2593, also known as the proposed New Government Procurement Act (NGPA).
This legislation aims to enhance and modernize the country’s government procurement system.
On May 21, 2024, the Senate swiftly passed the proposed measure on its third and final reading.
“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,” stated Secretary Pangandaman.
“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,” added the budget secretary.
Previously, on December 12, 2023, the House of Representatives also approved the procurement reform bill, which seeks to amend the long-standing Republic Act No. 9184.
The NGPA, deemed a priority by the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council, introduces key reforms designed to eliminate side deals, under-the-table agreements, uncompetitive behavior, corruption, and other criminal activities. Amendments aim to make government procurement more transparent, competitive, streamlined, sustainable, and inclusive.
Among the notable proposed amendments is the implementation of an electronic procurement system called the eMarketplace, which will 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 remarked.
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