THE e-marketplace for government procurement booked P80 million worth of transactions in the first quarter, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.
DBM Procurement Service Executive Director Genmarie S. Entredicho-Caong told reporters that the e-marketplace processed 86 orders, with 15 of these delivered.
“These 15 (are worth) around P31 million. The 86 orders amount to around P80 million,” she said in a briefing on Monday.
The e-marketplace started receiving orders in January and turned over its first deliveries in February.
Savings from online procurement, which accounts for 70% of the government budget, were estimated at P10 million in the first quarter.
She noted that prices of common-use supplies and equipment on the e-marketplace are 30-40% lower than market prices.
The portal was established under Republic Act 12009 or the New Government Procurement Act, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in July.
Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the earlier government agencies procure goods and services, the faster it helps the economy.
“For example, around 30% is allocated to our capital outlay. So that’s infrastructure spending. With infrastructure spending, we know it has the greatest multiplier effect. In terms of jobs, one project can provide many jobs around the community,” she said.
In the coming months, the DBM expects to add cloud computing services, airline tickets, software and licenses, ICT equipment, printing materials, and paper products to the e-marketplace.
The e-marketplace is still being piloted and a report on its results is due soon with the Government Procurement Policy Board.
The Philippines hosted the East Asia and the Pacific International Public Procurement Conference on Monday, co-hosted by the World Bank.
The three-day conference brings together 150 procurement regulatory agencies, reformers, innovators, leaders, members of civil society, and development partners from the region. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante