Section 91Sec./Art. 91

Organization and Functions. - The Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) shall be the central body that sets strategic direction and makes policy decisions regarding all matters affecting public procurement, having due regard to the country's regional and international obligations, and is tasked to lead the nation's efforts in advancing public procurement reforms in accordance with this Act. The Board shall:

(a) Formulate and amend, whenever necessary, the IRR of this Act, associated issuances and government procurement manuals, Philippine Bidding Documents and standard forms for procurement, and issue policy papers to ensure that the procurement process is streamlined and responsive to the need of the government. In line with its digitalization efforts, the GPPB shall establish an online automated process to provide timely responses to inquiries related to the implementation of this Act:

(b) Establish and implement the professionalization program provided in this Act; and

(c) Establish and implement a strategic procurement monitoring program that uses data analytics to enhance procurement planning and evidence-based policymaking as provided under Section 24 of this Act.

The GPPB shall be composed of the Secretary of the DBM as Chairperson, and the Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) as Alternate Chairperson, with the following as members: the Secretaries of the Department of Public Works and Highways, National Defense, Education, Interior and Local Government, and Transportation, or their duly authorized representatives; a representative from the PS-DBM; and a representative from the private sector, to be appointed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the GPPB. The GPPB may invite a representative from the COA to serve a a resource person.

In the performance of its functions, the GPPB shall be supported by a Technical Support Office (TSO), an agency attached to the DBM. The TSO shall be headed by a Director General with a rank equivalent to an Undersecretary and supported by Deputy Directors General with a rank equivalent to an Assistant Secretary, to be appointed by the President, as endorsed by the Secretary of the DBM, all of whom should be good moral character, honesty, probity, and unquestionable integrity. The Secretary of the DBM shall appoint the officials and employees of the TSO for ranks lower than the Deputy Director General. The security of tenure of existing officials and employees of the GPPB-TSO shall be observed, subject to existing civil service rules and regulations.

In addition to the powers granted under this Act, the GPPB shall absorb all the powers, functions, and responsibilities of the Procurement Policy Board created under E.O. No. 359, series of 1989. All affected functions of the Infrastructure Committee of the NEDA Board are hereby transferred to the GPPB.

The GPPB may establish Inter-agency Technical Working Group/s (IATWG/s) to provide subject matter expertise to the GPPB in the formulation and review of policies, rules, and regulations related to government procurement. The IATWG/s, in particular, shall endorse policy recommendations for the GPPB's consideration and approval. The IATWG/s shall consist of representatives from the economic services, social services, agriculture, health, education, construction, energy, environment, information and communication technology, research and development, and other sectoral groups as determined by the GPPB, to guarantee that the procurement policies are inclusive and promote good governance.

ARTICLE XX

ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS