DBM: ‘Add to cart’ initiative a boost to e-vehicle industry

MANILA, Philippines — The “add to cart” initiative of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is boosting the electric vehicle (EV) industry as it pushes for a more sustainable transportation system.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is the latest to join the DBM’s eMarketplace for a faster and more efficient procurement process — this time for EVs.

The DBM said LTO received 23 units of hybrid multipurpose vehicles amounting to P44.7 million, which were all bought via the eMarketplace, the government’s official e-commerce platform for the procurement of common-use supplies and equipment (CSE) including motor vehicles.

The latest transaction was completed in less than two weeks after LTO placed its order. It also resulted in around P700,000 in savings compared to market price.

LTO’s purchase is also in compliance with the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act which mandates government agencies to procure a certain percentage of electric or hybrid vehicles for its fleet.

Likewise, DBM is advancing sustainability as green principles are part of the New Government Procurement Act, incorporating environmental considerations into the centralized procurement of CSE.

Apart from LTO, other agencies that used the eMarketplace include the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Office for Transportation Security, Department of Justice, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, Commission on Human Rights, Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution, Securities and Exchange Commission and Social Housing Finance Corp.

Earlier, the DBM said the eMarketplace is expected to generate at least P320 million in sales this year.

The eMarketplace is designed to modernize the procurement process, allowing agencies to conveniently “add to cart” essential goods and services, ensuring timely and cost-effective transactions.

The DBM maintained that early and efficient procurement of goods and services will further boost the economy as public spending accounts for 20 percent of gross domestic product.

The eMarketplace is one of the many components of the New Government Procurement Act that aims to modernize and augment public procurement processes in the country by addressing existing loopholes and inefficiencies.