DFA-OCA Hosts Introductory Briefing on New Government Procurement Act (R.A. 12009) in coordination with Department of Budget and Management

Assistant Secretary Mendoza-Oblena, Deputy Assistant Secretary Lao, Executive Director Entredicho-Caong, Director Matibag, Chief Bernal, with DFA-OCA officers and the participants of the Introductory Briefing on the NGPA

MANILA 11 April 2025 — The Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) partnered with the Procurement Service - Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) in organizing an introductory briefing on R.A. 12009 (the New Government Procurement Act) held on 07 April 2025 to discuss the key provisions of the latest version of the procurement law and updates on procurement policies, rules, and regulations. 

The briefing was conducted by three resource speakers from PS-DBM, led by Executive Director Atty. Genmaries S. Entredicho-Caong, together with Chief Omar O. Bernal and Director Atty. Ramon Antonio L. Matibag. The event was also graced by OCA Assistant Secretary Atty. Ma. Antonina M. Mendoza-Oblena.

Forty-five participants joined on-site while approximately 110 participants attended via online. The attendees were representatives from various consular offices and divisions of the DFA, most of whom are involved in the procurement process of their respective offices.

During the first session, Executive Director Atty. Entredicho-Caong discussed the fundamental changes introduced in the NGPA and gave an overview of the Procurement Service and PhilGEPS Mandate.

For the session on the PS-DBM PhilGEPS eMarketPlace, Mr. Bernal, Chief of the Marketing and Sales Division of PS-DBM, shared the new features of the eMarketPlace and explained how to navigate the e-commerce platform for procurement of Common-Use Supplies and Equipment (CSE). 

At the conclusion of both sessions, participants were given the opportunity to ask the speakers questions and clarifications on the topics discussed. The open forum allowed a dialogue between the participants and speakers which shed light on the importance of the NGPA in the upcoming procurement projects of the DFA-OCA. END

Assistant Secretary Mendoza-Oblena giving her opening remarks.

Executive Director Entredicho-Caong during her session on the NGPA and Overview of Procurement Service and PhilGEPS Mandate.