Local government units (LGUs) should lead the way in promoting their own town or city's products and services.
That was the message of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Calabarzon as it urged LGUs to prioritize local manufacturers in their procurement plans.
During the recent "Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas" forum last March 11, Marissa Argente, regional director of DTI Region IV-A, reminded local government units to allocate at least 10 percent of their annual budget for purchasing local products, as required by Government Procurement Policy Board Resolution No. 11-2021.
Argente noted that local government units have been supportive of the policy, with some allocating more than 10 percent of their procurement funds to local suppliers.
“Local government units have been allocating more than 10 percent of their budget in purchasing from local suppliers. It is indeed true that when we calculate it, a significant allocation comes from our local suppliers,” she stressed.
Under Section 34 of Republic Act No. 12009 (New Government Procurement Act), agencies must secure at least three price quotations for goods not available to the Department of Budget and Management's Procurement Service (PS-DBM).
“There is a certain amount that requires public bidding, while there is also an amount categorized as ‘shopping’ or ‘small value procurement’ where canvassing is allowed. Hopefully, the items they [government offices] canvass are sourced locally,” Argente added.
The Trade department said it maintains a directory of local manufacturers to assist government offices and local government units in sourcing compliant suppliers.
(With report from PIA)
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