The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the state-operated Landbank of the Philippines have entered into an agreement to utilize a digital government purchase card (GPC) as a means to enhance efficiency in transactions among government agencies.
This memorandum of agreement sets the groundwork for the GPC, a credit card issued by Landbank to authorized government personnel, equipped with pre-determined credit limits and vendor constraints. The GPC aims to expedite the procurement process for goods and services by eliminating the need for time-consuming paperwork and requisition protocols.
Part of the government’s digital transformation drive for the bureaucracy, this initiative is projected to result in cost savings, improved bureaucratic efficiency, and simplified business processes.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman highlighted that this collaboration with Landbank not only streamlines administrative processes but also promotes accountability and convenience. Additionally, the predefined credit limit feature and secure payment process of the GPC contribute to enhanced control and transparency.
Landbank’s President and CEO, Lynette Ortiz, emphasized that this initiative will amplify operational efficiency and financial accountability in the allocation of public funds. The GPC has already demonstrated its utility through its collaboration with the Bureau of the Treasury and the Department of Finance, facilitating over 998 transactions in the first half of 2023, amounting to P5.1 million for various DOF and Treasury payments and purchases.
The GPC’s attributes encompass a 30-day revolving credit with full settlement upon the due date, access to point-of-sale and e-commerce transactions, global acceptance, email notifications for all transactions, regardless of the amount, and electronic account statements.
