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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Economy devider DBM bringing laptops back to gov't e-marketplace—with major catch

DBM bringing laptops back to gov't e-marketplace—with major catch

Published Jun 9, 2026 06:00 pm  |  Updated Jun 9, 2026 04:17 pm

At A Glance

  • After suspending laptop procurement amid controversies over pricing and specifications, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) now intends to reintroduce laptops to the government's e-marketplace after enhancing the specifications of common-use supplies and equipment (CSE) offered through the platform.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) plans to reintroduce laptops to the government’s digital procurement platform this month, following the suspension triggered by the high-profile pricing and specification scandal involving public school equipment.
Procurement Service of the DBM (PS-DBM) Executive Director Genmaries Entredicho-Caong said in an interview that they are overhauling their e-marketplace to rectify past systemic failures by upgrading the quality standards and pricing metrics for items listed as common-use supplies and equipment.
“We hope that laptops will be reintroduced to the marketplace this June,” Entredicho-Caong said, adding that “it will no longer be a case where we simply procure a single set of specifications.”
“Information and communications technology (ICT) equipment, including laptops, is already classified as CSE. However, we stopped procuring laptops after the issue involving the Department of Education (DepEd),” she said.
According to the budget official, the move was prompted by longstanding concerns over laptop specifications and pricing.
Entredicho-Caong said the DBM has considered these concerns, with the government subsequently adopting a 12-point agenda aimed at first improving the specifications of CSE items before resuming procurement.
To ensure a more flexible and modern procurement process, the DBM is shifting away from rigid requirements.
Apart from laptops, the government’s e-marketplace is aggressively diversifying its catalog to include specialized motor vehicles and advanced technology.
While the platform currently hosts standard vehicles such as sedans and buses, the DBM is coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for more complex equipment.
“Fire trucks are included because the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) requested assistance for the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), following a controversy involving their procurement,” Entredicho-Caong revealed.
Market studies for fire trucks are already underway, she added. Ambulances are also being considered as part of future procurement plans due to strong demand from local government units (LGUs).
A significant part of the modernization effort focuses on green technology and the push for alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), including electric and hybrid units.
“Our current target is to onboard more AFVs or alternative fuel vehicles,” Entredicho-Caong said. Brands such as Foton and Cross Country Motors are already active in the program, while BYD has already completed its evaluation.

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