PS-DBM reverts to primary mandate of supplying basic office essentials
Reams of bond papers (File photo)
MANILA, Philippines — The Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) has returned to its core purpose of supplying essential and commonly used items to government agencies.
During a roundtable discussion with INQUIRER.net and Philippine Daily Inquirer reporters on Monday, PS-DBM Executive Director Dennis Santiago mentioned various items that are commonly utilized, such as papers, pens, and other related products.
While procuring complex items for government branches is not wrong, Santiago said the Service returned to its original assignment.
“Our mandate kasi is to procure common-use supplies and equipment for government. Sabi nga ng Secretary (Amenah Pangandaman), tingnan mo nga kung ano ‘yong meron kasi we ventured out on buying for other agencies as (a) procurement agent,” he explained.
(Our mandate is to really procure common-use supplies and equipment for the government. As the Secretary said, look at what is happening because we have ventured out on buying for other agencies as a procurement agent.)
“That is allowed under the law. Pwede naman kaming maging agent for other government agencies, especially those who do not have the capacity to procure ano,” he clarified.
(That is allowed under the law. We can be agents for other government agencies, especially those who cannot procure.)
“But this time around po, ini-stop po muna namin ‘yong procurement ng non-commonly-used supplies and we are focusing on purchase or procurement of common-use supplies and equipment, which is really the mandate of the office,” he emphasized.
(But this time around, we stopped the procurement of non-commonly used supplies, and we are focusing on the purchase or procurement of common-use supplies and equipment, which is really the office’s mandate.)
Santiago also said they had informed bidders that PS-DBM officials and personnel should not take any favors.
“Last year we had our suppliers’ orientation. Appreciation event first and churning out the idea that you know, what we really want from the suppliers are the best quality goods at the best price,” he recalled.
“We’re telling them we will be paying on time. We will promise a short of 15, a maximum of 30 days to be paid once your documents are complete,” he said.
“Sinasabi ko po sa kanila na, ‘you know, we’re here really to serve. Hindi ho kami hihingi sa inyo kahit ano. Kahit meryenda or what. Just so it’s clear, dahil po maybe it was the practice before. Ganyan,” he added.
(I told them, ‘you know, we’re here really to serve. We will not ask for anything from you. Not even snacks or what. Just so it’s clear, because maybe that was the practice before. That way.)
“So, malinaw ho ‘yong aming mandato – magsilbi, magbigay ng tamang goods,” he reiterated.
(Our mandate is clear – serve, give the right goods.)
This is not the first time suggestions were made for PS-DBM to return to procuring commonly used goods.
In August 2022, several lawmakers in the House of Representatives asked the budget department to stick to its job.
This was because PS-DBM had been accused of engaging in corruption.
More recently, the Service was investigated for its purchase of laptops for the Department of Education (DepEd).
The items procured were allegedly overpriced and sub-standard compared to the technical specifications.
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