Government agencies have so far saved a total of ₱2.9 billion by purchasing common-use supplies and equipment (CSE) and big-ticket items through the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) virtual store (VS) and eMarketplace, the government’s digital procurement platforms.

According to data disclosed by Procurement Service (PS)-DBM Executive Director Genmaries Entredicho-Caong, the combined savings generated by the government’s two online procurement platforms neared ₱3 billion as of June 8.

VS sells small CSE items, including paper, ink, and basic office supplies, while eMarketplace offers higher-value products and services such as motor vehicles, software licenses, airline tickets, and cloud computing services.

Entredicho-Caong said purchasing CSE in bulk allows the government to procure items at significantly lower prices than those available in the retail market.

“Normally, our prices are up to 40 percent lower than market prices,” she told reporters.

VS remains the primary driver of the government’s cost-saving efforts. In the first half of 2026, the platform covered 29 high-demand items and generated a total of ₱2.7 billion in savings compared to the highest market prices available.

Even when measured against more competitive benchmarks, the platform’s performance remained notable, generating nearly ₱1 billion in savings compared to median market prices and more than ₱230 million in savings compared to the lowest market prices.

Meanwhile, eMarketplace generated ₱141.6 million in savings in the first half of the year across three procurement categories: motor vehicles, government-funded airfare (GFA), and software licenses.

Motor vehicle procurement through eMarketplace saved the government ₱42.7 million compared to prevailing market prices. This total included ₱41.6 million from 195 delivered units and ₱1.1 million from 55 units pending delivery.

Among the largest users of the platform were state-run Home Development Mutual Fund, or more popularly known as PAG-IBIG Fund, with 63 units; the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with 51 units; and the Department of Justice (DOJ) with 50 units.

The most commonly procured models included Toyota Innova Zenix Hybrid with 102 units, Toyota Hiace Grandia with 98 units, and Toyota Innova XE with 87 units.

The GFA program, meanwhile, generated ₱32 million in savings as of end-June. These savings were achieved from total sales of ₱312.2 million through strategic partnerships with major carriers, yielding ₱22.1 million in discounts from Philippine Airlines (PAL) and ₱9.8 million from Cebu Pacific.

For this category, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Office of the President (OP) recorded the highest GFA sales at ₱24.4 million and ₱21.6 million, respectively.

In the technology sector, software and license (S&L) procurement generated ₱67 million in savings. This was based on sales totaling ₱552.1 million compared to a market value of ₱619.1 million.

Significant savings were recorded from both delivered licenses, amounting to ₱32.3 million, and pending orders, amounting to ₱34.6 million.

More than 40,000 licenses were procured by the DSWD, the leading buyer in the category. It was followed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) with 70,000 licenses, and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) with 5,100 licenses.

Entredicho-Caong said PS-DBM plans to reintroduce laptops to the government’s digital procurement platform this month following the suspension triggered by the high-profile controversy involving the pricing and specifications of public school equipment.

Apart from laptops, eMarketplace is expanding its catalog to include specialized motor vehicles and advanced technology products.

“Our current target is to onboard more AFVs, or alternative fuel vehicles,” she said.

Brands such as Foton and Cross Country Motors are already participating in the program, while BYD has completed its evaluation process.