Quezon City, Philippines – October 21, 2024 – The Fiscal Year 2024 Procurement Summit, hosted by the Government Procurement Policy Board – Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO), continued this morning with a plenary session focused on “Advancing Inclusivity and Sustainability in Procurement Through Local MSMEs.” This discussion followed the official opening and inauguration of the Procurement Summit by Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman of the Department of Budget and Management, Executive Director Atty. Rowena Candice M. Ruiz of the GPPB-TSO, and other distinguished guests.
The panel discussion was led by Ms. Aurora Geotina-Garcia, a key advocate for women’s economic empowerment. As the Founding Chairperson of the Philippine Women’s Economic Network (PhilWEN), she highlighted the crucial role of women-led MSMEs in driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Ms. Garcia emphasized the importance of procurement as a strategic tool for social and economic impact, aligning with the summit’s theme, “Leveraging Local MSMEs for Inclusive and Sustainable Procurement.” She provided recommendations for both private and public sectors to enhance gender-responsive procurement practices and called for collective action to build a more equitable society. Chairperson Garcia concluded with a powerful statement: “Ensuring participation of women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (WMSMEs) in procurement is not just a matter of economic necessity; it is a moral imperative. When she bids, we benefit.” This call to action resonated with the audience, emphasizing the critical role of inclusive procurement in achieving sustainable development.
The Procurement Summit plenary also featured an insightful presentation by Assistant Secretary Atty. Michel Kristian Ablan from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Assistant Secretary Ablan, known for his extensive expertise in governance, focused on enhancing the business environment for MSMEs, driving innovation, and ensuring sustainable development through inclusive policies. In his presentation, Assistant Secretary Ablan shared his perspective on how MSMEs can thrive within public procurement frameworks and the role of government in fostering an ecosystem that supports both economic growth and social equity. He emphasized DTI’s initiatives to support MSMEs and the importance of sustainable and gender-responsive procurement. Atty. Ablan extended his appreciation to Executive Director Ruiz and to the GPPB-TSO for their unwavering support of MSMEs and expressed DTI’s support for the passage of the New Government Procurement Act.
Another compelling presentation during the plenary was delivered by Mr. Mehmet Sina Velioglu, Senior Procurement Specialist from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). ADB has been a key partner in supporting sustainable economic development and is deeply committed to fostering MSME growth in the Philippines. Mr. Velioglu shared how ADB’s programs empower local MSMEs to participate more actively in public procurement, creating opportunities for economic resilience and sustainable growth. He emphasized ADB’s efforts to promote inclusive, transparent, and competitive procurement practices across the country. Mr. Velioglu discussed the critical importance of sustainable procurement, stating, “Our world is already at stake, and we do not have another world to live in. That’s why we need sustainable procurement.” He explained that ADB structures its procurement practices to align with sustainability goals, emphasizing the need for collective action across society. Sustainable procurement, he noted, encompasses more than just environmental concerns; it includes four pillars: environmental, social, economic, and institutional. This comprehensive approach ensures that procurement practices contribute to overall sustainability. ADB is committed to developing financing products tailored to the needs of MSMEs and cooperatives, leveraging reforms to improve the ease of doing business.
The Procurement Summit also featured an enlightening virtual presentation by Ms. Ma. Diyina Gem Arbo, Policy and Data Lead for the SheTrades Initiative, International Trade Center (ITC). Ms. Arbo highlighted the ITC’s pivotal role in helping local MSMEs connect with international markets and integrate into global supply chains, enhancing their competitiveness. She emphasized the importance of leveraging public procurement as a tool for women’s economic empowerment and gender equality, noting that globally, only 1% of public contracts go to women-led businesses despite governments spending 12% of GDP on public contracts. Ms. Arbo discussed the challenges women face in procurement, such as limited tendering opportunities and lack of access to information and technology. She outlined ITC’s collaborative efforts with governments to develop gender-responsive public procurement policies, train officials on gender-sensitive practices, and ensure a certain percentage of public funds are allocated to women-led businesses. “When we include more women in the public procurement market, we can create a fair and more diverse competition which can gain to greater participation of women in the economy, gender equality, and overall economic growth,” emphasized Ms. Arbo.
The plenary presentation was followed by a productive panel discussion moderated by Ms. Sigrid Jan Sibug of the United Nations Women Philippines, joined by the plenary speakers and Executive Director Ruiz of the GPPB-TSO.
Towards the end of the plenary session, Executive Director Ruiz emphasized the importance of proactive and intentional efforts in implementing the New Government Procurement Act, RA 12009. She highlighted that while the law provides a robust legal framework, its effectiveness depends on the deliberate actions of those involved in the procurement process. Atty. Ruiz urged stakeholders to be mindful and purposeful in designing their projects, whether focusing on sustainability, supporting local MSMEs, or ensuring the highest quality standards. She stressed that quality is not a one-size-fits-all concept and that procurement documents should be tailored to meet specific needs rather than relying on generic templates. “The law will not work by itself; it is the legal framework that allows us to do a lot of things. But the work really starts with us. We must be intentional in our approach,” Executive Director Ruiz said, calling for an end to the practice of copying and pasting in bidding documents.
Follow us for more of this year’s Procurement Summit!!! Come visit our Sustaindahan from 21 to 23 October 2024 here at the GPPB-TSO Building, Commonwealth Ave., UP Diliman, Quezon City.
Watch the opening ceremony of the CY 2024 Procurement Summit and the plenary discussion through this link: