MANILA – The US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), in partnership with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB), hosted the first-ever workshop on the Philippines’ New Government Procurement Act (NGPA) at Seda Vertis North Hotel in Quezon City, Metro Manila.
The event marked a significant milestone in advancing public procurement reform, gathering around 100 representatives from across 20 different government agencies and private sector stakeholders to engage in a meaningful dialogue on improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in government procurement practices.
“On July 20, 2024, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed into law the NGPA—the biggest anti-corruption measure in the country’s recent history. No less than the International Monetary Fund lauded our efforts at procurement reform, citing in its 2023 Country Report that this would ‘help further enhance the legal and institutional framework for transparent and competitive public procurement,’ said Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman in her keynote address. She emphasized the importance of reforming government auditing rules to complement these groundbreaking changes.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara, through a speech delivered by Education Undersecretary Peter Irving Corvera, highlighted his pivotal role as the primary sponsor of the NGPA. “We consider NGPA as the transformation we need for procurement. We need to capacitate our people because handling billions of funds is no small feat,” he stated. The law’s passage, championed by former Senator Angara earlier this year, required three (3) public hearings and ten technical working group meetings to ensure a comprehensive and impactful reform.
The workshop serves as a platform to exchange global best practices in procurement and explore innovative approaches to implementing the NGPA. Atty. Hermino Bagro III, USABC Philippines country representative, opened the event by highlighting the significance of the workshop in advancing the Philippines’ procurement system, stating, “This workshop comes at a crucial time as we prepare for the full implementation of the New Government Procurement Act. This landmark legislation aims to increase transparency, streamline procedures, and improve public trust in government procurement.” He further emphasized USABC’s role as a bridge between the government and the private sector, fostering collaboration and dialogue to support critical reforms like the NGPA, with the workshop serving as a prime example of this partnership.
Discussions included technical sessions led by USABC member companies Visa, UltraPass, and GE Healthcare. Visa underscored the benefits of unified electronic payment systems for procurement, sustainability, and small and medium enterprises, as well as the importance of a well-designed procurement e-marketplace. UltraPass presented interoperability among government agencies and cross-border trade efficiencies, emphasizing compliance with global procurement standards. GE Healthcare focused on enhancing market scoping mechanisms, ensuring predictability and business continuity, and addressing budget calculation processes.
GPPB-TSO deputy executive director Maria Dionesia A. Rivera–Guillermo provided an overview of the NGPA and emphasized its potential to revolutionize public procurement in the country. She noted, “The NGPA introduces significant reforms to address delays in procurement caused by inadequate planning.” Her presentation outlined the law’s focus on fostering competition and inclusivity while addressing inefficiencies in existing systems.
Participants were also divided into three focused group discussions, organized by industry: Financial Services, Health and Life Sciences, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Each group worked with GPPB-recognized trainers and technical representatives to propose actionable recommendations for enhancing the NGPA’s implementation. The sessions culminated in a plenary where participants shared insights and engaged in open discussions on advancing procurement practices.
The workshop concluded with a presentation of consolidated recommendations by Florina Vistal, USABC chief representative for the Philippines, who stated, “Today’s workshop provided a remarkable opportunity for open dialogue and collaboration in anticipation of the upcoming issuance of the NGPA Implementing Rules and Regulations. We remain hopeful that ongoing discussions with technical experts will meaningfully contribute to the successful implementation of this law.”
This workshop was collaboratively designed by program partners Visa, Google, UltraPass, and GE Healthcare to foster meaningful dialogue on implementing the NGPA. Attendees included representatives from companies such as Amazon Web Services, Cisco, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, MSD, Microsoft, Organon, Pfizer, Viatris, Vriens and Partners, and Zuellig Pharma, along with representatives from the U.S. Embassy, USAID RESPOND, and USAID SPEED.
The NGPA, which revised the 21-year-old Government Procurement Reform Act GPRA, represents a milestone in public procurement reform. By incorporating global best practices, proportionality, and sustainability into the process, the NGPA seeks to modernize procurement, strengthen public trust, and set a new standard for transparency and efficiency in the Philippines.
