The Procurement Process in the Barangays of the City of Manila: Examining Practices and Alternative Systems and Problems Towards a Procurement Primer

Since Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184) was enacted in 2003 by the Philippine Government, National Government Agencies have been guided by their customized procurement manual and Local Government Units by their local government procurement manual. Barangays faced significant challenges navigating the intricate mandatory procurement process, mainly because they lacked access to a clear and simplified procurement guide. This gap hindered their ability to manage resources and make informed decisions effectively. This study aims to determine the awareness, compliance, practices, and challenges in the organization and operation of the procurement process in selected barangays of the City of Manila, with the ultimate goal of finalizing findings that can serve as the basis for an action plan. The study employed a mixed-methods research design, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches through surveys, focus group discussions, interviews, and observations. Twelve barangays were selected from Manila's six districts based on population and national tax allotments, with 120 barangay officials serving as respondents. The researchers statistically analyzed the data using frequency, percentage, weighted mean, and Likert scaling based on the respondents’ answers to enhance understanding. The study reveals that respondents are partially aware of and moderately comply with RA 9184 and its guidelines. The respondent’s education, years of service, experience, and training in government procurement significantly influence the barangay procurement organization and operations. Key challenges include lack of knowledge, insufficient training, low budgets, lengthy processes, and external influences. In response to these challenges, the researcher has developed the 4-ACES Action Plan and a Barangay Procurement Primer designed to enhance procurement knowledge and practices in barangays. 4-ACES stands for: Attend training and seminars, Create a special committee, Enact an ordinance, and Spread the procurement policy. These proposed changes offer the potential for significant improvements in barangay procurement processes, leading to more efficient operations and better compliance with RA 9184 and its guidelines.