Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah “Mina” Pangandaman commended the Procurement Service – DBM (PS-DBM) for achieving a major milestone on February 18, 2025, with the successful turnover of vehicle units through the groundbreaking eMarketplace online platform.
“Everything about the eMarketplace, from its development to its implementation, is designed to be quick and easy. We launched it in December last year, and now, two agencies have already benefited from faster, more efficient, and seamless procurement. ‘Add to cart’ has officially been activated for government procurement,” Secretary Pangandaman stated.
She emphasized the platform’s impact, highlighting a drastic reduction in procurement time:
“Imagine, from a four-month wait to less than two weeks! This is the game-changing efficiency that the eMarketplace brings. But this is just the beginning as we continue to revolutionize government purchasing for the better.”
The DBM Secretary attributed this progress to the dedication of PS-DBM, backed by the unwavering support of the Government Procurement Policy Board-Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO) and the DBM.
A New Era in Government Procurement
Designed to modernize the procurement process, the eMarketplace allows government agencies to conveniently “add to cart” essential goods and services, ensuring timely and cost-effective transactions.
Marking the platform’s first completed transaction, four motor vehicles worth P7.6 million were officially handed over to the Insurance Commission at Toyota Otis, Paco, Manila, on February 17, 2025.
“From a four-month process last year, we were able to procure in just two weeks—including delivery. Sobrang bilis!” said Mark Franklin Sanchez, Supervising Administrative Officer of the Insurance Commission, praising the platform’s efficiency.
The following day, the National Tax Research Center (NTRC) received two motor vehicles worth P3.3 million, further demonstrating the platform’s effectiveness.
Transforming Public Procurement
The eMarketplace is a key component of the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA), a landmark reform designed to modernize and streamline the country’s public procurement system by eliminating inefficiencies and closing loopholes. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PBBM) signed the NGPA into law on July 20, 2024.
PS-DBM Executive Director Atty. Genmaries “Gen” S. Entredicho-Caong underscored President Marcos’ strong support for the initiative, recalling his personal involvement in pushing for its inclusion in procurement law amendments.
“Si President Bongbong Marcos talaga ang may gusto niyan… He remembered it particularly in our proposals for the amendment of the procurement law. Natandaan niya talaga,” ED Gen shared.
A Commitment to Digital Transformation
“The eMarketplace is just one milestone in our digital transformation journey. We assure you that PS-DBM is committed to continuously institutionalizing public procurement reforms to achieve our Agenda for Prosperity,” Secretary Mina affirmed.
Now operational, the eMarketplace currently allows government agencies to procure motor vehicles under its pilot program for common-use supplies and equipment (CSE). More items will be added, including airline tickets, cloud computing services, and various software and licenses, further expanding the platform’s reach and impact.