The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) wants to streamline the acquisition of software and personal computers to ensure transparency and to make it easier for government agencies and local government units in acquiring these kinds of office equipment.
Jose Tomas C. Syquia, executive director of DBM’s Procurement Services, said it’s easier for them to purchase in bulk on behalf of the agencies and LGUs so they would be spared the inconvenience of having to conduct biddings for their PCs and software needs.
“Under this system, we can go to the line agency or LGU and ask them what are their exact needs and after that, we will present them a list to choose from,” he said.
Syquia was in Cebu to attend the 13th CIO summit held at Movenpick Resort in Mactan, Cebu held last Friday. The event sponsored by Microsoft Philippines carried the theme “Re-imagining Your Role In the Evolving Enterprise.”
Aside from PCs and software licenses, Syquia said the DBM’s Procurement Services facilitates the provision of office supplies and equipment for the entire government.
“It’s easier for one agency to procure all the equipment for the entire government to ensure transparency, (a key element of) good governance. Under our system, we ask them “Tell us what you need we will look it up for you,” Syquia said.
He said the system also allows them to directly deal with providers like Microsoft and assures them of having the best deals at the lowest possible prices.
“It’s better that we buy everything in bulk for everyone,” Syquia said.
The DBM official said agencies and LGUs as well as those monitoring government purchases of equipment and services can track the information for themselves through the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System’s website.
“For now we are providing the software and PC needs of agencies like the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Departments of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Agrarian Reform (DAR),” Syquia added.
As far as cloud computing and data storage among government agencies are concerned, Syquia said these projects are still in the pipeline and are being handled by the IT division of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Ferdie Saputil, Microsoft Phils. public sector director, said their company is committed to helping government agencies and the private sector avail of the latest technology solutions to improve their operations and make them as competitive as businesses around the world.