Northwest Samar State University has initiated its annual Procurement Planning for Fiscal Year 2025 with a two-day seminar-workshop. The event, held on October 14-15, 2024, at the 4th floor of the Administrative Building, aimed to enhance the university’s procurement strategies and develop a comprehensive plan for successful operations while adhering to government regulations. A key expert in public procurement served as the resource speaker.
Key university officials, teaching and non-teaching personnel, and support staff from both the main campus and the San Jorge campus participated in the seminar, both in-person and via Zoom.
The first day began with a warm welcome for the resource speaker and participants. University President, Dr. Benjamin L. Pecayo, delivered opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of an efficient and streamlined procurement planning process to ensure the university’s growth and commitment to delivering quality services.
The day continued with a comprehensive seminar workshop led by Mr. Andy G. Matula, a Public Procurement Specialist. Mr. Matula covered the preparation of technical specifications, scope of work, and terms of reference, along with a vital discussion on cost estimation. This critical aspect plays a pivotal role in budgeting and the preparation of the Project Procurement Management Plan (PPMP).
Day two commenced with a session on standard bidding procedures, facilitated by Mr. Matula. Participants received an in-depth look at the legal and technical requirements for the bidding process, with a focus on transparency and compliance with procurement laws. This was followed by a discussion on the New Government Procurement Act (Republic Act No. 12009), ensuring that university staff are well-versed in the latest policies governing public procurement. Mr. Matula’s expertise helped clarify common issues encountered during procurement and provided practical solutions to address these challenges effectively.
In the afternoon, university officials and end-users participated in hands-on exercises to reinforce their learning. Each office had the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained during the seminar through a presentation of their outputs.
The closing ceremony, which was led by Dr. Ramil S. Catamora, Vice President for Academic Affairs, then ensued. Dr. Catamora expressed his appreciation for the active participation of attendees and the valuable contributions of the resource speaker. The seminar ended with the awarding of certificates to the speaker and participants.