CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry is urging government offices in the Calabarzon region to prioritize local manufacturers in their procurement plans.
Marissa Argente, regional director of DTI Region IV-A, reminded local government units to allocate 10 percent of their annual budget for purchasing local products, as required by Government Procurement Policy Board Resolution No. 11-2021.
“We are reminding local government units to allocate at least 10 percent of their budget to purchase from local manufacturers,” Argente said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on March 11.
Argente noted that local government units have been supportive of the policy, with some allocating more than 10 percent of their procurement funds to local suppliers.
“Local government units have been allocating more than 10 percent of their budget in purchasing from local suppliers. It is indeed true that when we calculate it, a significant allocation comes from our local suppliers.”
Under Section 34 of Republic Act No. 12009, more commonly known as the New Government Procurement Act, agencies must secure at least three price quotations for goods not available to the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management.
“There is a certain amount that requires public bidding, while there is also an amount categorized as ‘shopping’ or ‘small value procurement’ where canvassing is allowed. Hopefully, the items they [government offices] canvass are sourced locally.”
The GPPB continues to update Bids and Awards Committees on government procurement policies, while the DTI encourages government offices to source locally when shortlisting suppliers.
“We have already implemented this understanding across all Bids and Awards Committees under the Government Procurement Policy Board. This serves as an encouragement for the procurement of local goods,” Argente added.
The Trade department said it maintains a directory of local manufacturers to assist government offices and local government units in sourcing compliant suppliers. (PB/PI4A)
