Countries from the East Asia and Pacific Region are pushing for a “more transparent, inclusive, and sustainable” public procurement.
This, as the participating nations in the region signed the first-ever statement of cooperation on public procurement during the second day of the East Asia and the Pacific International Public Procurement Conference on Tuesday, according to the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) news release on Wednesday.
“As we sign the first-ever Statement of Cooperation on public procurement in the East Asia Pacific, we are expressing our shared commitment to fostering sustained partnerships and continued knowledge exchange among our countries,” DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who led the signing ceremony, said.
“Regional cooperation offers a more effective solution, enabling us to build smarter, more inclusive procurement systems through game-changing reforms that ultimately uplift the lives of our people,” she added.
The DBM stressed the Philippines’ strong commitment to advancing regional collaboration and shaping a more transparent, inclusive, and sustainable public procurement landscape across East Asia and the Pacific.
The statement of cooperation on public procurement aims to promote professional development and ethical standards; using digital tools and innovation; support inclusive and sustainable procurement, particularly for the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and women; and encourage knowledge sharing and regional collaboration.
In a message delivered on the first day of the forum on Monday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. cited the importance of procurement as a cornerstone of good governance and a tool for transformation.
The East Asia and the Pacific International Public Procurement Conference, which concluded on Wednesday, carries the theme “Procurement for the People: Bridging Innovation, Value for Money, and Accountability.”
The three-day forum aimed to foster regional cooperation to enhance procurement outcomes and service delivery among the participating countries.
Thailand will host the next procurement conference. (PNA)