Green Public Procurement Act

"* Salate Office of the gruetary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 26 FEB -9 P1:46 SENATE RECEIVED BY: 1800 S. No. - Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT ESTABLISHING A GREEN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT PROGRAM FOR ALL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT EXPLANATORY NOTE Under Section 16, Article II of the Constitution, the State is mandated to protect and advance the right of the Filipinos to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. For this reason, the Philippines shall promote governance that minimizes the use of harmful materials and reduces waste emissions to ensure that the needs of future generations are not compromised. Green procurement is no longer a new concept in the country. In 2004, the Philippines initiated the Green Procurement Program (GPP) to support local suppliers with sustainable products. Today, the Philippines has committed to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and implementation of the UN 10-Year Framework of Programs on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP). This bill seeks to institutionalize and establish the GPP in all departments, bureaus, offices, and agencies of the government, including local government units. Establishing the GPP will create a growing market for green supplies and equipment in the Philippines which in turn will promote sustainable development. As the government will be the largest consumer of green products, this will change the attitude towards green products and affect the jobs and incomes of the Filipinos particularly those that are engaged in Micro, Small, and Medium-size Enterprises (MSMEs). In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR

Senate Office of the secret up TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 26 FEB -9 P1:46 SENATE 1800 RECEIVED BY: S. No. _ Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT ESTABLISHING A GREEN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT PROGRAM FOR ALL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Green Public

2 Procurement Act. "

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes that sustainable

4 development is a necessary policy for nation-building, and that it plays a lead role in 5 promoting sustainable practices by incorporating environmental, economic and social 6 factors in government decisions and processes. Further, the State, as a large 7 consumer bloc in itself, recognizes that every product or service it purchases or avails 8 of should be evaluated for its sustainability. As a party to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 10 the State remains committed to achieving the seventeen (17) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Guided by the SDGs and their targets, particularly SDG 12 which sets the Sustainable Consumption and Production Goal that is embodied in the long-term vision of AmBisyon Natin 2040, the State shall implement programs 14 geared towards responsible and sustainable consumption and production with the end 15 view of achieving a fully circular economy.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the following terms

17 are hereby defined as follows:

a. Green public procurement program refers to a process whereby public authorities seek to procure goods and services with reduced environmental impact throughout their cycle when compared to good and services with the same primary function that would otherwise be procured. It ensures value for money in terms of source, quantity, price, time and delivery. It prohibits the use of discriminatory criteria such as brands, labels or other supplier's requirements that could distort the open competition. b. Circular economy refers to a new and inclusive economic paradigm that aims to minimize pollution and waste, extend product lifecycles, and enable the broad sharing of physical and natural assets. It is a competitive economy that creates green and decent jobs and keeps resource use within planetary boundaries. c. Common-use supplies and equipment refer to those goods, materials and equipment that are used in the day-to-day operations of procuring entities in the performance of their functions. d. Procuring entity refers to the executive, judicial or legislative branch, constitutional commission or office, agency, department, bureau, office, or instrumentality of the government of the Philippines, including government- owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), government financial institutions (GFIs), state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local government units (LGUs) procuring goods, infrastructure projects and consulting services. e. Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PHILGEPS) refers to the electronic system that shall serve as the primary and definitive source of information on government procurement.

Sec. 4. Establishment of a Green Public Procurement (GPP) Program in all

Branches of Government. - The executive, judicial and legislative branches of government, including constitutional commissions, state universities and colleges (SUCs), government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCS), government financial institutions (GFIs), and local government units (LGUs), shall implement a 31 Green Public Procurement (GPP) Program to achieve sustainable consumption and production in government procurement in accordance with the GPP Roadmap

1 established by the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) for the purpose, 2 consistent with the governing principles of Republic Act No. 12009 or the New 3 Government Procurement Reform Act, or its amendment.

Sec. 5. Objectives of the Green Public Procurement (GPP) Program. - The GPP

5 Program shall have the following objectives: a) To promote the culture of making green, sustainable, and informed decisions in government, especially in government procurement; b) To require the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PHILGEPS) in coordination with the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management to identify all government agencies procuring common-use supplies and equipment (CSE) and non-common use supplies and equipment (non-CSE) identified by GPPB as part of the Green Procurement Roadmap; c) To promote the preferential use of green criteria in government procurement whenever possible and practicable; d) For the relevant government agencies to develop technical specifications for CSE and non-CSE products, taking into account among others, the following processes and principles: following processes and principles: i. Development of a standard template consisting of scope, key environmental impact of a product in terms of its material composition, use and eventual disposal, product specifications, evidence, verification and references; ii. Extensive research of GPP technical specifications, taking into account international and national specifications of countries with extensive GPP experience; iii. Documentation of comments and feedback on the technical specifications of the various products; iv. Conduct of environmental impact studies of a product in terms of its material composition, use, and eventual disposal; and v. Inclusion of employment generation, safe working environment, and

supply-chain management in the formulation of a long-term sustainability criteria. e) To establish and include green criteria or specifications developed by the GPPB in the project or product requirements of procuring entities; and f) For the relevant government agencies to develop programs for manufacturers and suppliers of green and sustainable products and services for relevant government agencies.

Sec. 6. Functions of the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB). - In

9 addition to its existing functions, the GPPB shall perform the following: a) Protect the national interest in all matters affecting public procurement, giving due regard to the country's regional and international obligations; b) Ensure the incorporation of the concept of sustainability in the procurement activities of the government. The GPP Program shall be implemented in phases, taking into account the readiness of both the government agencies as well as green product suppliers to implement the program; c) Centralize the information on GPP guidelines and procedure, green criteria, green product listing of information and verification methods; d) Design and conduct capacity building and training programs for government procuring entities and green product suppliers and service providers, particularly the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to encourage consistency in the delivery of green products and services and efficiency in implementing the GPP requirements; e) Develop incentive schemes, such as recognition or awards for GPP performing units to increase motivation and catalyze action for better performance and environmental stewardship; and f) Establish standard monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to measure the compliance of procuring entities to the criteria.

Sec. 7. Submission of Plans and Reports. - All agencies shall submit their

respective GPP Programs to the GPPB, the specific requirements and mechanisms of 30 which shall be defined in the rules and regulations to be promulgated to implement

1 this Act. The GPPB shall, in turn, submit an annual report to the Committee on 2 Sustainable Development Goals of the House of Representatives and to the Committee 3 on Sustainable Development Goals, Innovation and Futures Thinking of the Senate on the compliance of the different agencies with the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 8. Third party Verification. - The GPPB shall identify competent third-party

6 verifiers that will assess the environmental soundness and sustainability of the CSE 7 and non-CSE that will be procured. All agencies of the government identified in this 8 Act are mandated to comply with the green criteria established by the GPPB, along 9 with the other technical specifications required by the agency for the particular 10 procurement, in accordance with the relevant provisions of RA No. 9184 and its IRR. The GPPB shall provide a list of certified environmentally-sound and sustainably- produced products and services, and accredited testing centers and manufacturers for reference of the agencies which shall be updated regularly by the GPPB based on the established green criteria for specific goods and items included in the GPP Program 15 and Roadmap.

Sec. 9. Capability-building of Government Agencies and Information, Education

17 and Communication (IEC) Awareness Programs. - The GPPB shall regularly implement 18 capacity building and information, education and communication programs to develop 19 capacities and enhance awareness and understanding on the implementation of the 20 GPP Program. These programs will include the conduct and provision of the following: a) Training needs assessment of the entire public sector; b) Relevant training programs and modules for all government agencies or procuring entities; c) Technical assistance and conduct of awareness programs for suppliers, particularly the MSMEs; and d) IEC awareness campaigns and programs for all government agencies or procuring entities, MSMEs, and the general public.

Sec. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from

the effectivity of this Act, the GPPB shall in coordination with the Commission on Audit (COA) and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), promulgate

1 and issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this 2 Act.

Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared

4 unconstitutional or invalid, the portions or provisions which are not affected shall 5 continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,

rules and regulations contrary or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

Sec. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines. Approved,