On April 15, 2025, the Bids and Awards Committee Secretariat, under the supervision of Dr. Eileen Lorena M. Mamino, chair of the BAC Secretariat, organized the “Salient Points on RA 12009: Training on the New Government Procurement Act.” 

The training, held at the UPLB Rural Economic Development and Renewable Energy Center (REDREC) for 172 in-person participants, was also attended via virtual conferencing by 578 UPLB personnel. 

It aimed to capacitate and inform the attendees about the New Government Procurement Act and how they can navigate the procurement process during and after its three-year transitory stage. 

Dr. Rolando T. Bello, vice chancellor for administration, gave the welcome remarks and highlighted the importance of training in public procurement. 

Chancellor Jose V. Camacho Jr. said in an inspirational message, “As stewards of public trust, we carry the responsibility of ensuring that processes comply with the highest standards of accountability and efficiency.”

He said that RA 12009 paves the way for modernizing procurement systems, demanding not only compliance with updated rules and procedures but also a proactive mindset—a willingness to adapt and innovate.

Jessie Salvador, a lawyer and a GPPB-recognized national trainer, served as the training resource speaker. He gave a presentation on the provisions of RA 12009 that practitioners need to know and an informative discussion on all 101 sections of the new law. 

The whole-day training featured question-and-answer sessions, during which Salvador and other GPPB-recognized trainers, namely Isagani Bagus and Mamino, answered the trainees’ questions.  

Mamino, also the program director of the Public Procurement Specialist Certification Course conducted in UPLB,  concluded the training program by thanking and encouraging the participants to continue to hone their knowledge through learning, including enrolling in the public procurement course for a more immersive learning experience.