Pasay City: The government has successfully saved PHP10 million this year through the procurement of motor vehicles utilizing the eMarketplace online platform, as reported by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Monday. This milestone demonstrates the effectiveness of the eMarketplace in modernizing government procurement processes.

According to Philippines News Agency, Procurement System-DBM Executive Director Genmaries Entredicho-Caong shared these savings during a briefing at the East Asia and the Pacific International Public Procurement Conference held at The Hilton Manila in Pasay City. She highlighted that the savings were achieved due to the price difference between vehicles purchased through the eMarketplace and their market price alongside the approved budget for such purchases.

The eMarketplace is a significant component of the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA), aimed at streamlining the government's procurement activities. This platform enables agencies to efficiently purchase essential goods and services, promoting timely and cost-effective transactions. As part of its pilot program, the eMarketplace currently facilitates the ordering of motor vehicles for common-use supplies and equipment (CSE).

Caong revealed that the platform began receiving orders in January, with the first deliveries completed in February. She noted that there are currently 86 orders placed, with 15 already delivered, translating to PHP31 million in total sales. The entire batch of 86 orders amounts to approximately PHP80 million.

The pilot phase of the eMarketplace is set to conclude this month. Following this, a report will be submitted to the Government Procurement Policy Board detailing the outcomes of the pilot implementation. Looking ahead, Caong mentioned plans to expand the eMarketplace offerings to include cloud computing services, airline tickets, software, and licenses. Additionally, the DBM intends to incorporate information and communication technology (ICT) equipment, ink, printers, and various paper products within the year.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman emphasized the importance of the procurement system, highlighting how bulk orders through the PS-DBM lead to substantial savings. These savings create fiscal space for other government programs and grants, underscoring the value of efficient procurement practices.