Digitalization: The Catalyst for Ease of Doing Business and Procurement Excellence
The Swiss Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, in partnership with Zuellig Pharma, hosted a luncheon briefing on the digitalization of government procurement on 12 March 2025 at Makati Diamond Residences. This exclusive event offered key insights into the latest procurement innovations, demonstrating how digitalization optimizes processes, drives sustainability, and stimulates long-term business opportunities - advancing the ease of doing business in the Philippines.
Jannette Jakosalem, Market Managing Director of Zuellig Pharma and Chairperson of the Life Sciences and Digital Health Innovation Cluster, delivered an introductory address that framed the discourse for discussions on digitalization and the streamlining of institutionalized procurement processes.
Undersecretary Gerald Divinagracia, Deputy Director General for Operations of the Anti-Red Tape Authority, presented crucial perspectives on the government’s ongoing progress in procurement digitalization, emphasizing its significant impact on sustainability and green procurement practices. Undersecretary Divinagracia deliberated efforts to modernize Philippine government procurement through digital transformation while explaining its challenges. He affirmed the importance of "transformative digitalization” and the approach to a transformative digital government along with the outline of ARTA’s proposed collaboration on the digitalization of government procurement and the whole-of-government approach.
Panel speaker Attorney Rowena Ruiz, Executive Director of the Government Procurement Policy Board-Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO), provided expert insights into the digitalization of procurement and its broader impact. Atty. Ruiz discussed the implementation of the New Government Procurement Act and the formulation of its implementing rules and regulations (IRR). She highlighted key strategies to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the system through her in-depth discussion of governing principles, procurement strategies, modernized procurement processes, digitalization efforts, sustainable public procurement, and professionalization of public procurement.
Moderated by SwissCham Philippines Director of Operations Kent Primor, the open forum explored expanding efficient procurement procedures across government and private sectors. Chamber members expressed their views for strengthened guidelines and deeper collaboration among key agencies and stakeholders to enhance openness, streamline operations, and improve accessibility in procurement procedures.
In her closing remarks, Daniela San Agustin, SwissCham Philippines Board of Director and Manufacturing Cluster Chairperson, concluded with the country’s significant progress in digitalizing procurement processes. San Agustin further emphasized that in these volatile times, the Philippines is on a promising trajectory toward economic recovery. Recognizing that procurement remains one of the country’s most controversial challenges, she amplified the role of Swiss-Philippine businesses in driving meaningful change.
SwissCham Philippines is dedicated to maximizing Swiss-Philippine trade and investment potential through its ongoing efforts to develop areas of cooperation, SwissCham continues to build bridges of opportunity, ensure transparency, and drive sustainable progress that benefits both Switzerland and the Philippines.
