DBM launches upgraded procurement data portal to boost transparency

The Procurement Service (PS) of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) recently unveiled an enhanced open data portal designed to promote greater transparency and accountability in government procurement.

During the launch ceremony at the DBM central office in San Miguel, Manila, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the modernized Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (mPhilGEPS) Open Data Portal will make information on government purchases easily accessible to the public—from pre-procurement to contract awarding.

“With this launch, we’re taking open governance a step further by making procurement information more accessible and transparent, empowering oversight agencies, civil society, researchers, and the public to engage and hold the system accountable,” Pangandaman said.

The upgraded portal features user-friendly dashboards and visualization tools that present data from procurement platforms such as the e-Marketplace, Virtual Store, and e-Bidding facility. It also includes search and filter functions, downloadable and machine-readable datasets, and a feedback mechanism for public input.

Pangandaman said the platform allows real-time tracking of how public funds are spent.

“Data of government agencies, merchants, and observers—as well as bid notices and awards—are showcased. Ibig sabihin, buong bituka ng procurement process, makikita po ng publiko,” she said.

The Budget Secretary emphasized that the portal not only promotes transparency but also improves efficiency. “This will help identify patterns, flag potential irregularities, and assess the performance of awarded contracts. It also enables data-driven policy reforms through multi-stakeholder research and monitoring,” she added.

Pangandaman described the initiative as a milestone in the Marcos administration’s commitment to open governance.

“Designed as a transparency tool, the enhanced Open Data Portal of PS-DBM PhilGEPS reflects our meaningful progress in public procurement,” she said, urging everyone to become “champions of open government” in the pursuit of a Bagong Pilipinas