Leveraging game-changing digital transformation initiatives
BEYOND BUDGET
Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
I am excited to share that last week was a triple victory for the country's government procurement landscape!
On Aug. 12, 2024, we, in the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Government Procurement Policy Board-Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO), proudly launched three game-changing digital transformation initiatives to enhance public participation in the government procurement process: the Procurement Observers’ Portal (POP); the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA) Microsite; and the Billy Bayong Chatbot. Their launch is timely, as the NGPA, or Republic Act No. 12009, took effect on Aug. 13, 2024.
The World Bank (WB) noted that public procurement accounts for 12-20 percent of a country's gross domestic product. Hence, I strongly agree that spending funds for their intended purposes has immeasurable returns on investment for government through “greater citizen trust in public institutions”. And in this day and age, digitalization is essential for public procurement, as it ensures the quality and hence the sustainability of goods and services, and accelerates their delivery to our people.
Thus, we are delivering the promise of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PBBM) during his third State of the Nation Address that with the NGPA, “Government procurement will be modern and innovative, more streamlined and efficient, and truly at par with global best practices.”
Procurement observers' portal
Those who attend and observe the stages of procurement play a critical role in ensuring transparency and integrity in the public procurement process. Unfortunately, there has been a decline in observer participation over the years. The GPPB-TSO and WB Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS) Report from 2019 to 2021, a foundational work in crafting the NGPA, highlighted the need for direct engagement with civil society organizations (CSOs) and a more enabling environment for public consultation and monitoring.
In response to this challenge, the DBM, through the GPPB-TSO, with the WB's invaluable assistance, developed the POP, an innovative online platform designed to enhance the interaction and collaboration between procuring entities (PEs) and observers. It espouses efficiency, allowing PEs to invite observers, access a comprehensive directory categorized by industry, and generate detailed reports. Meanwhile, observers can register, receive invitations to procurement activities, view relevant documents, and submit their reports online. Its user-friendly design allows 24/7 access, thus improving transparency, encouraging active involvement, and streamlining the entire process.
I am especially glad to know that Food for the Hungry, a CSO dedicated to advancing transparency and sustainable solutions, commended the initiative for it “ensures that procurement processes are conducted fairly, in accordance to the law, and empowers citizens and CSOs to actively engage in oversight.”
Further, I join the WB in underscoring that, “The portal is a cornerstone for digitalization, which we consider an enabler and catalyst for better governance and improved delivery of services to citizens.”
We, therefore, express our immense gratitude to the WB for its support, vowing to continue its partnership with the GPPB in instituting policy reforms and by providing technical assistance. I invite CSOs to visit the portal through www.gppb.gov.ph and register at observersportal.gppb.gov.ph.
NGPA Microsite
Another remarkable initiative is the NGPA Microsite, a one-stop portal designed to provide access to information and vital online resources for stakeholders involved in government procurement. More than a repository, it is a dynamic platform that fosters active collaboration among the Implementing Rules and Regulations Committees to ensure the new procurement law reflects the latest regulatory developments, leveraging the collective expertise of the committees and making their insights readily accessible.
Aside from the Committee Information, the Microsite features a Resource Library, an Activity Calendar, a Feedback Portal, and a section on the latest news and updates on the NGPA implementation process.
As GPPB-TSO Executive Director Rowena Ruiz emphasized, the platform “would be invaluable in guiding our stakeholders through the intricacies of the new procurement framework.”
I am confident that through this microsite, we are cultivating a more informed and engaged community of procurement professionals and stakeholders. I urge our stakeholders to stay actively involved in shaping the future of public procurement through ngpa.gppb.gov.ph.
Billy Bayong Chatbot
In 2023, the GPPB-TSO handled around 2,374 letters and email queries and 4,080 phone queries. This year, to facilitate response to queries, especially with the new procurement law, it upgraded Billy Bayong, a 2D infographic material, into an artificial intelligence chatbot.
Billy Bayong provides 24/7 access to instant and accurate government procurement-related information, featuring user information collection, multilingual support, dynamic responses, and fallback responses. This cutting-edge tool guarantees that anyone can obtain the answers he/she requires anytime and anywhere, through www.gppb.gov.ph and other sub-sites: ProHub, Online Portal and Philippine Bidding Documents Builder, and Online Blacklisting Portal.
Beyond budget, the POP, NGPA Microsite, and the Billy Bayong Chatbot are not just tools — they are embodiments of the PBBM administration's collective dedication to continuously innovate and leverage advanced technology to foster better governance and a transparent, accountable, and efficient public procurement system under our Bagong Pilipinas. I encourage everyone to explore these tools and engage. Together, let us build a more sustainable and robust nation.
(Amenah F. Pangandaman is the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management.)