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The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) gathered 18 suppliers and contractors for its first Suppliers and Contractors Forum on September 29, 2026 at the University Commercial Building, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.
The forum brought businesses engaged in construction supplies, medical supplies, catering services, office supplies, information technology merchandise, and other products and services to discuss government procurement processes and requirements.
Atty. Sunny Rye Nogalo, BAC member, led an orientation on Republic Act No. 12009, or the New Government Procurement Act, while Ms. Kristille Diane Gauran of Procurement Office discussed the Modernized Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS).
The sessions provided participants with information on the updated procurement law and the electronic system use when participating in government procurement.
USM President Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel said procurement is critical to the University’s operations as it enables the institution to acquire the goods, services, infrastructure, and other resources needed to fulfill its mandate.
“Government procurement can be challenging,” Pres. Pimentel said, citing the rules, requirements, documentation, timelines, and safeguards that must be observed by the University and its suppliers and contractors.
He said the University recognizes areas in its procurement processes that can still be improved.
“Rather than seeing these challenges as barriers, however, we should view them as opportunities to examine our processes, identify what needs to be improved, and find better ways of doing things,” he said.
The president also noted that the continuing implementation of the New Government Procurement Act aims to make government procurement more responsive and efficient while upholding transparency, accountability, fairness, and value for money.
Vice President for Administration and Finance Quenielyn L. Durendes, meanwhile, emphasized the role of planning and market information in procurement.
“Good procurement begins with good planning, good planning requires good market information,” VPAF Durendes said.
She described the forum as a two-way conversation between the University and the business community aimed at promoting transparency, fairness, professionalism, and mutual understanding.
“When government and the business community understand each other better, procurement becomes a partnership for better public service,” she said.
The forum also featured an exhibit where participating suppliers and contractors presented their products and supplies to University representatives.
Also present were BAC Chairperson for Goods and Vice President for Resource Generation and Entrepreneurial Services Dr. Samsudin S. Panday, members of the Bids and Awards Committee, BAC Technical Working Group, BAC Secretariat, and personnel from the USM Procurement Office.
