THE DEPARTMENT of Education is advancing procurement reforms to level the playing field for suppliers and ensure the integrity of the bidding process.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized these reforms at the first-ever Suppliers’ Summit, held from March 19-20 at Century Park Hotel in Manila. The event brought together around 250 suppliers and service providers to discuss improvements in procurement, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution.

“Sa ating mga suppliers at bidders—hindi lang kayo negosyo. Kayo ay kaagapay po natin sa reporma. Wala nang dahilan para maantala. Green light na—para sa mas maayos na procurement, para sa dekalidad na edukasyon,” Angara said.

To expedite the delivery of learning resources nationwide, DepEd has launched the Suppliers’ Registry. This initiative directly connects suppliers and service providers with market opportunities within DepEd.

The registry [https://suppliers.deped.gov.ph/] allows businesses to register their products and services, receive bid alerts, and communicate directly with DepEd. By streamlining market participation, it aims to eliminate inefficiencies and reduce bureaucratic delays in procurement.

As a former senator and principal author of the New Government Procurement Act, Angara stressed the importance of procurement reforms in preventing delays, enhancing market responsiveness, and ensuring the timely delivery of educational materials.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary for Procurement and Finance Oversight Rowena Ruiz reported that, with the help of Early Procurement Activities, DepEd has already awarded P1.9 billion worth of DepEd Computerization Program projects. These include 64,000 laptops and smart TV packages, as well as P864 million worth of learning resources—87 million modules and 74,000 tablets—by March 2025.

“Under the leadership of Secretary Sonny Angara, DepEd has taken bold steps to streamline the procurement process, eliminate inefficiencies, and uphold integrity. Simple lang ang mantra namin. Tatlo lang iyon. Three words: maayos, mabilis, malinis,” Undersecretary and Head of Procuring Entity Peter Irving Corvera affirmed.

During a panel discussion, Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Fatima Lipp D. Panontongan emphasized the critical role of suppliers in equipping educators with necessary tools for effective teaching. “This is the perfect example of the collaboration and partnership with our suppliers. You help us equip our schools, empower our teachers, and inspire learners,” she said.

The summit also featured a Market Opportunities Exhibit, where suppliers showcased their innovative products and services alongside DepEd’s 2025 project plans. Plenary and breakout sessions covered key topics such as the NGPA, Tatak Pinoy Act, and major DepEd procurement initiatives for 2025.

The event included discussions with experts like Atty. Catherine Jennifer Francis Gonzales from the World Bank, Ms. Soma Misra from the Asian Development Bank, Atty. Herminio Bagro from the US-ASEAN Business Council, and Ms. Carmen Zubiaga from Women with Disabilities Leap to Social and Economic Progress, Inc.