PhilGEPS
“Procurement by Electronic Means and PhilGEPS”
INTRODUCTION
The Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) actually began to be known as the Pilot Electronic Procurement System (Pilos EPS) in November 2000. Because the internet became accessible to many during that time, the EPS utilized it of course with the aid of Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) which served as the common means for registration of its suppliers and advertisement of opportunities. In relation to the PhilGEPS, the Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA) or Republic Act No. 9184 Series of 2003 was passed last January 2003 rationalizing and harmonizing the Philippine procurement system with international standards and best practices. The RA 9184 advocates the principles of transparency, competitiveness, and accountability. It mandates the use of streamlined processes of procurement and monitoring of government procurement activities by the general public. This GPRA created the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB), making it the central policy and monitoring body. Its functions are to protect the national interest in all matters that affect public procurement, having due regard to the country’s obligations to the region and to the nation for that matter, to formulate and amend, whenever necessary, the implementing rules and regulations and the corresponding standard forms for procurement, to ensure that Procuring Entities regularly conduct procurement training programs and prepare a Procurement Operations Manual for all offices and agencies and to conduct annual reviews of the effectiveness of the GPRA and recommend any amendments when necessary. The GPBB acts as the oversight authority in all procurements of the government monitoring every single transaction thereto. The Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management heads the GPBB acting as the Chairman while the Director-General of the