.png)
In response to the evolving legal and technical landscape of public procurement in the Philippines, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) has conducted a series of intensive training programs. These initiatives are specifically designed to ensure strict alignment and seamless legal compliance with Republic Act No. 12009, otherwise known as the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA), alongside the mandatory government-wide transition to the modernized electronic procurement framework.
Through collaboration with the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) and the Government Procurement Policy Board–Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO), the Council has successfully capacitated its key personnel on the Modernized Philippine Electronic Government Procurement System (MPhilGEPS) and the New Government Procurement Act (RA 12009).
In their messages, both DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora and Deputy Executive Director for Administration, Resources Management, and Support Service (OED-ARMSS) Melvin B. Carlos emphasized the Council's commitment to maintaining legal compliance and upholding the values of efficiency, transparency, and public accountability in adopting to and taking advantage of the new approaches offered by the new law and system.
As a direct prelude to the mandatory government-wide migration to the Modernized Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (mPhilGEPS) in May 2026, DOST-PCAARRD’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) organized a focused, two-day hands-on training on April 28–29, 2026 at the W.D. Dar Hall, DOST-PCAARRD in Los Baños, Laguna.
The training was led by Dir. Rommel D. Rivera, Deputy Executive Director for Procurement and Information and Communication Technology at the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM), with the dedicated three-member technical team from the PS-DBM. This was designed to address operational knowledge gaps by immersing the participants in real-world procurement workflows and hands-on system simulations. The training covered Registration and Account Management, Annual Procurement Plan (APP) uploading and Purchase Request (PR) creation, Bid notice creation and electronic submission/opening of bids, Bid evaluation, Post-qualification, and Award creation.
PS-DBM explained that efforts to update its procurement system aim to improve efficiency and streamline workflows. This modernization aims to make processes smoother and reduce the risks associated with compliance. The initiative of DOST-PCAARRD in conducting the said capability building is especially important as the government approaches the hard enforcement deadline, ensuring that all requirements are met on time.
DOST-PCAARRD also recognizes the importance of understanding procurement law alongside the new systems. Therefore, a comprehensive three-day seminar on RA 12009 was also held on May 19–21, 2026 at the E.O. Tan Hall, DOST-PCAARRD. The training was facilitated by selected speakers from the roster of GPPB-TSO recognized trainers with specialized legal and technical know-how on procurement. It directly targeted the amendments mandated by RA 12009, unpacking how a "fit-for-purpose" approach changes day-to-day operations while preserving core values of public accountability. Discussion encompasses the fundamental shifts in philosophy, aiming for value-for-money, speed, and heightened responsiveness, the different procurement modalities tailored to operational realities on the ground, and strengthening safeguards, accountability, and execution metrics.
Moreover, rather than treating procurement training as an isolated administrative responsibility, the Council engaged 130 participants across various divisions to ensure Council-wide compliance. Attendees spanned BAC Officials, Technical Working Groups (TWGs) categorized by specialized procurement lines (such as ICT, Civil Works, and Equipment), the BAC Secretariat, End-users, Budget Controllers, Supply Officers, and Canvassers.
By aligning the practical implementation tools of mPhilGEPS with the statutory requirements of the NGPA, DOST-PCAARRD has effectively secured its administrative processes. This forward-thinking shift guarantees that the Council stays highly compliant, transparent, and prepared for operations, allowing it to use public funds efficiently while preventing delays in fulfilling its mandate.