SLSU Capacitates Procurement Practitioners Across All Six Campuses on New Government Procurement Act
Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) strengthens its institutional procurement capacity through a three-day Training on the New Government Procurement Act (Republic Act No. 12009) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, held on June 8–10, 2026, at the University Library Mini Theater, Sogod Campus.
Organized by the Procurement Office of Southern Leyte State University, the training gathers procurement practitioners from the University’s six campuses: Maasin City Campus, Tomas Oppus Campus, Bontoc Campus, Sogod Campus, San Juan Campus, and Hinunangan Campus. Participants include members of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), BAC Chairpersons, the BAC Vice-Chairperson, the BAC Secretariat, the BAC Technical Working Group, Campus Directors, and Vice-Presidents.
The capacity-building activity comes at a crucial time as government agencies, including state universities and colleges, prepare for the full implementation of the new procurement regime under RA No. 12009, otherwise known as the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA). Its IRR provides the rules for procurement activities of the Government of the Philippines and is intended to guide procuring entities from procurement planning up to contract implementation to facilitate public service delivery.
In his opening message, Dr. Jude A. Duarte, University President, underscores the importance of strengthening procurement competence across all campuses, emphasizing that procurement is not merely a technical or compliance function, but a vital mechanism in ensuring that public resources are used responsibly, efficiently, and in support of the University’s mandate.
Dr. Marie Khul C. Langub, BAC Chairperson of the Sogod Campus, delivers the Statement of Purpose, highlighting the need for procurement actors to be updated, aligned, and prepared for the major reforms introduced by the NGPA and its IRR.
The NGPA introduces a broader and more strategic view of government procurement. Its governing principles include transparency, competitiveness, efficiency, proportionality, accountability, public monitoring, sustainability, and procurement professionalization. The law also emphasizes the State’s objective of achieving value for money in government procurement, ensuring that public funds are utilized effectively and responsibly.
For the first two days of the training, Mr. Leo A. Omamalin, a GPPB-Recognized Trainer, serves as the resource person and discusses three core modules: Key Provisions of RA No. 12009 and its IRR, Strategic Procurement Planning, and Modes of Procurement.
His sessions introduce participants to the major reforms under the new law, including the shift toward a fit-for-purpose and proportional procurement approach. Under the IRR, procurement planning must take into account the needs of the procuring entity, value for money, associated risks, supply positioning, available procurement modes, risk management, and even disposal procedures where applicable.
The discussions also cover the importance of linking procurement with budgeting through the proper preparation of Project Procurement Management Plans and the Annual Procurement Plan. Under the IRR, no government procurement shall be undertaken unless it is in accordance with the approved Indicative APP or final APP of the procuring entity.
Participants are also oriented on the different modes of procurement under RA No. 12009, which include Competitive Bidding, Limited Source Bidding, Competitive Dialogue, Unsolicited Offer with Bid Matching, Direct Contracting, Direct Acquisition, Repeat Order, Small Value Procurement, Negotiated Procurement, Direct Sales, and Direct Procurement for Science, Technology and Innovation.
The training also emphasizes the evolving role of the BAC under the new law. Under the IRR, the BAC is tasked not only to recommend modes of procurement, conduct procurement proceedings, and recommend awards of contracts, but also to recommend sanctions, prepare procurement monitoring reports, and perform other related functions necessary to ensure the integrity and efficiency of procurement operations.
On the third day, Mr. Toni Marc L. Dargantes, also a GPPB-Recognized Trainer, serves as the resource person for the module on Contract Implementation and the Sanction Mechanism. His session focuses on the post-award stage of procurement, including the responsibilities of procuring entities and suppliers in ensuring faithful contract execution, accountability, performance monitoring, and the appropriate application of remedies and sanctions when warranted.
The training also aligns with one of the key reforms of the NGPA: the professionalization of government procurement practitioners. Under the IRR, the Government Procurement Policy Board is mandated to develop a competency framework, certification framework, code of ethics, and inclusive capacity development program for procurement professionals, while the Professional Regulation Commission, in consultation with the GPPB, is tasked to establish and regulate a professional licensing program for public procurement professionals.
In her Closing Remarks, Dr. Christine Alma Mae M. Daguplo, Vice-President for Administration and Finance, recognizes the participation and commitment of procurement practitioners from all campuses. She emphasizes that the University’s responsiveness to the new procurement law depends not only on policies and systems, but also on the preparedness, integrity, and collaboration of the people who implement procurement on the ground.
The three-day activity serves as an important venue for common understanding, policy alignment, and professional retooling among the University’s procurement actors. More than a compliance activity, it represents SLSU’s continuing investment in good governance, institutional readiness, and public accountability.
As the University transitions into the new procurement framework, the training is expected to strengthen procurement planning, enhance decision-making among BAC members and end-users, improve contract implementation, and promote a more transparent, efficient, and value-driven procurement culture across all six campuses of Southern Leyte State University.