Gov't to launch Public Tender Board project

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said yesterday the government will launch the first phase of the so-called Public Tender Board (PTB) project in April in its efforts to streamline the acquisition process of equipment and supply needs of government agencies.

Diokno said the PTB will be used as the primary interface to present opportunities, specifications and information to the supplier community and eventually support electronic bid submissions.

According to Diokno, the PTB is one of the major components of the Department of Budget and Management 's (DBM) Internet-based service in line with the streamlining of the acquisition process for equipment and supply needs of government agencies.

This process is also part of the establishment of an electronic bid board system (EBBS), now being called Electronic Procurement System (EPS).

The budget chief said this process will also enhance transparency in government procurement transactions.

Aside from PTB, the other components of the new procurement system include a central supplier registry that will provide all agencies a common list of accredited suppliers to support invitation bids and an electronic catalogue from which agencies can order pre-approved goods and services from approved suppliers at set prices.

In line with this, the World Bank has granted a $100 million Social Expenditure Management Loan to DBM for the modernization and improvement of the government's procurement process.

Under the loan terms, the DBM should develop a comprehensive procurement reform which will not only involve government-wide administrative systems but also changes in procurement laws.