The City Government of San Fernando, La Union (CGSFLU) underwent training on salient points of the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 12009, otherwise known as the New Government Procurement Act, which aims to strengthen the understanding of procurement practitioners held at J&V Hotel and Resort, Barangay Sevilla, on August 18-20, 2025.

Attending the training  were CGSFLU department heads, procurement officers, as well as the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), including its members, secretariat, technical working group, support, and canvassers.

Atty. Zoilo L. Andin, Jr., Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) Accredited Procurement Specialist, served as a resource speaker for the training. He highlighted several key principles of R.A. 12009 aimed at improving government procurement, including transparency, competitiveness, efficiency, accountability, sustainability, and professionalization.

In his discussion, Atty. Andin introduced new provisions and procurement modalities of RA 12009 to ensure a more “fit-for-purpose” approach.

Strategic procurement planning was underscored in the training because it requires government agencies to conduct mandatory market scoping to properly plan and prepare for procurement projects.

New procurement models were also presented, which defined new ways to procure goods and services, including competitive dialogue, unsolicited offer with the matched, direct acquisition, and direct procurement for science, technology, and innovation.

Participants were likewise guided on the procurement of multi-year projects with prior approval from the Department of Budget and Management, enabling long-term infrastructure and development initiatives.

They were further reminded of enhanced due diligence, which mandates the full disclosure of the beneficial ownership of bidders to prevent conflicts of interest and promote transparency.

Through this training, participants were educated and capacitated on the key provisions, implementing rules and regulations, and relevant procurement-related issuances of R.A. No. 12009 to ensure their compliance with the new law, guidelines, as well as regulations.

Correspondingly, it served as a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration among procurement stakeholders from different offices and agencies.

Kakabsat, the City Government remains committed to adapting to reforms and enhancing the competencies of procurement practitioners towards a transparent, accountable, and efficient government here at the #PeoplesCity of #SanFernandoTayo.