3December 2023, Seoul-The Philippines, led by Secretary of Budget and Management Amenah F. Pangandaman, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Public Procurement Cooperation with the Republic of Korea on 1 December 2023 in Seoul. The partnership between the Philippines' Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Republic of Korea Public Procurement Service (PPS) will allow both nations to exchange ideas and explore innovative strategies that will transform the Philippine procurement landscape and improve bureaucratic efficiency.

During the bilateral meeting, Secretary Amenah Pangandaman emphasized that the DBM is committed to push forward budget and procurement initiatives that will utilize digitalization for efficiency and transparency and recognized the Republic of Korea's leading role in online procurement, making the country an essential international partner for the Philippine government's procurement modernization plan. She likewise relayed that the DBM is committed to being a champion of innovative, responsive, and sustainable budget and procurement policies and reforms that will enable the Philippine government to steer the country towards inclusive economic development. The DBM Secretary also shared the Philippine Agenda for Prosperity and a future-proof and sustainable economy.

Procurement Service (PS) Executive Director Atty. Dennis S. Santiago also elaborated on the Philippines' e-procurement programs that help meet global standards in procurement and the capacity-building requirements it needs to help strengthen the system.

The Philippine delegation also visited the Korea Public Procurement Service headquarters in Daejeon, South Korea on 30 November 2023 to learn more about KONEPS, Korea's online e-procurement system and its daily operations. In Daejeon, the Secretary met with Director General for Fair Procurement Bureau Ms. Moon Kyung-rae, Director for e-Procurement Planning Mr. Han Shin-woo, Cooperation Officer Jihyoung Shin, and other members of the Public Procurement Service (PPS) for a walk-through of their daily operations to support online procurement, real-time monitoring, and evaluation of procurement processes.

The Republic of Korea was led by PPS Administrator Kim Yoonsang, with Director General Kim Eungkeol, and Deputy Director General Im Heoneu as well as other PPS officials. The Philippine delegation also included DBM Undersecretary Wilford Will L. Wong, PH Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario, DBM-PS Director Maria Teresa Semana, and DBM-PS Director Genmaries Entredicho-Caong. END