The Philippine Association of Local Government Accountants (PhALGA), Inc. paid a courtesy visit to the Government Procurement Policy Board–Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO) Director General Atty. Rowena Candice M. Ruiz, to discuss the implementation of the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA), Republic Act No. 12009, and continuing procurement and related financial management concerns affecting local government units (LGUs).
During the courtesy visit, PhALGA, Inc., led by President Dr. Nancy A. Torres, congratulated Executive Director Ruiz on her appointment as the first Director General of the GPPB-TSO, recognizing the significance of the appointment in strengthening the leadership and institutional capacity of the TSO.
Director General Ruiz provided updates on the implementation of the NGPA and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), including the GPPB-TSO’s platform for receiving stakeholder comments and inputs on the IRR. She likewise highlighted the TSO’s continuing efforts to enhance procurement guidelines and provide regular quarterly updates to keep stakeholders informed of policy and implementation developments.
The discussion covered Customized Bidding Documents, Small Value Procurement, and other NGPA and IRR provisions, as well as the need to align procurement policies and guidelines with relevant Commission on Audit (COA) rules. PhALGA, Inc. shared practical challenges encountered by LGUs, including difficulties faced by some barangays in constituting their Bids and Awards Committees due to limited personnel.
The parties also discussed the importance of continued coordination with COA in addressing varying interpretations and treatment of procurement and financial matters, including the issuance or processing of Certificates of Availability of Funds where cash is unavailable and the treatment of trust funds.
The courtesy visit reaffirmed the longstanding partnership between PhALGA, Inc. and the GPPB-TSO in supporting LGUs and promoting greater clarity and consistency in the implementation of procurement policies. The engagement also provided an avenue for the GPPB-TSO to gather practical feedback from local government practitioners as it continues to strengthen the implementation of the NGPA.
Upcoming NGPA trainings are scheduled in Mindanao on February 24–26, 2027, at APICC in Cagayan de Oro City; Northern Luzon on March 17–19, 2027, at Chavit Coliseum in Vigan City; and Southern Luzon on April 14–16, 2027, at Bicol Provincial Coliseum.
Also present in the meeting were Atty. Jose Neil D. Lumongsod, Atty. Christine N. Meralpes, Richleen Jasebelle Grace A. Buray, Marie Jun O. Maturan, Arthur Ryan Oyong, Alma C. Libo-on, Arlene Rio S. Villar, and Vicente Luis Marcos, all from PhALGA, Inc.
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