The Government of the Philippines and the World Bank recently organized the International Public Procurement Conference, focusing on "Procurement for the People: Bridging Innovation, Value for Money, and Accountability." This event highlighted the significant role public procurement plays in driving growth and improving lives in East Asia and the Pacific.
Zafer Mustafaoğlu, World Bank Division Director for the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, emphasized that public procurement is a powerful tool for change. "When done right, it empowers schools and hospitals, builds roads and bridges, delivers digital innovation, and ensures that public funds truly serve the public good," he stated.
Public procurement represents 20% of GDP in many countries within this region. The conference gathered over 150 experts to discuss challenges and solutions related to public procurement.
Philippine Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman expressed hope that procurement reforms would benefit various sectors. "My hope is that through our collective resolve, our procurement reforms will translate into triumph for our people—from farmers who can more quickly provide food for school feeding programs, to small businesses that can more readily win government contracts, to women-led enterprises that are given the opportunity to compete and thereby uplift their communities," she said.
Key policy reform areas discussed included changing mindsets about procurement from box-ticking to addressing real needs like job creation and empowering women. Transparency was another focus area; it involves not just sharing data but building trust by consolidating data comprehensively.
Professionalizing public procurement is essential due to complex government needs and evolving markets. Practitioners require training in diverse skills along with tools like e-procurement platforms.
Enhancing women's participation as government suppliers is crucial. Barriers such as limited access to financing need addressing through effective policies. Supplier development programs offering training are vital for capacity building.
Greening public procurement by integrating environmental criteria was discussed. While sustainable practices may have higher initial costs, they often result in better long-term value.
Implementing beneficial ownership disclosure was also highlighted as necessary for transparency and fair competition in awarding contracts.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers new opportunities in reducing costs and time in processes like market analysis but requires full digitization for effectiveness.
Diomedes Berroa from the World Bank remarked on the importance of these reforms at a time when trust and fiscal responsibility are critical. He noted that implementing them would ensure wise use of resources while improving lives and building resilient communities.