Selected Quezon City government officers went through the first leg of capacity-building training on Green Public Procurement (GPP) last September 14-16 and October 12-14, held at La Traviesa Hotel and Resort, General Trias, Cavite.
Among the Quezon City Local Government Unit departments who attended were representatives from the Department of Building Official, Disaster Risk Management Office, General Procurement Office, General Services Department, Office of the City Administrator, Parks Development and Administration Department, Task Force Streetlights, City Accounting Department, City Engineering Department, City Planning and Development Office and City Health Department.
Gearing to a greater, greener and ever growing community, Quezon City LGU earlier forged partnership with by the Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development (PCEPSDI) last February 29, 2016 to serve as an acid test for a local Green Public Procurement (GPP), which is a UN Environment 10YFP Trust Fund for Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) assisted project in partnership with the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).
The project aims to establish and implement a comprehensive GPP program for Quezon City Local Government that will present and demonstrate an LGU model to promote Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in the country. Among the project deliverables are the development of a local policy to promote green procurement in Quezon City, and the development of green products specifications that will be used in buying products and contracting services for this local government.
The series of training for the newly formed GPP Task Force of Quezon City aims to equip them with the technical knowledge on Green Public Procurement to effectively institute their specific roles in project implementation. With various topics presented by sustainability experts and procurement practitioners, the capacity building activity included workshops and case study exercises.
Among the invited resource speakers who presented were Ms Flerida Arias from the Department of Budget and Management – Procurement Service (DBM-PS) who discussed about their GPP initiatives at the national level with the EU Switch Asia assistance in crafting green specifications for products including paper and other office supplies and equipment. At present, PS is partially powered with solar energy.
Ms. Angelica Isnani of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shared their GPP experience under the assistance of the EU Switch Asia Policy Support which includes technical assistance in their capacity building trainings, which they plan to share with other government agencies as well.
Mr. Nino Pinalva of EMB and Ms. Karlene Laxamana of the Environment Protection and Waste Management Department (EPWMD) of Quezon City discussed the national and local environmental initiatives respectively.
The trends on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in other city governments abroad were tackled by Ms. Joy Baldos, a Project Officer of the International Council of League of Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI).
In addition, Atty. Don Radjaie of Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) presented a review of the Policies and Processes of Government Procurement under Republic Act 9184. PCEPSDI Legal Consultant Atty. Arvin Jo also discussed the context of GPP in the current government policies and processes.
Engr Reynaldo Esquerra of the Department of Science and Technology presented valuable information on Cleaner Production and the adoption of Renewable Energy.
Main speakers from PCEPSDI were Executive Director June Alvarez, Programme Director Grace Lebria and Communications and Sustainability Head Rodora Catibog who discussed about sustainable approaches and practices (e.g. ecolabelling, greening the supply chain, life cycle assessment and life cycle costing, green procurement, among others) They were also the ones who facilitated the workshops and group dynamics.
“We appreciate the speakers invited and all PCPESDI lecturers who were all willing to impart their knowledge and experience to us. This will be helpful in the successful implementation of the project.” Ms. Sheryl Campos of DRRMO, a participant, said.
The next trainings for the GPP Task Force will be held early next year. Seminars will also be held among other departments in the QC City Hall, for the QC supply chain businesses as well as other LGUs.
