The Implementation of Green Public Procurement (GPP) in the Province of Albay

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to examine the implementation of Green Public Procurement in the province of Albay. This study explores awareness of procurement officers and city government officials on Green Public Procurement, evaluates the compliance of the three cities in Albay with its legal mandates, assesses the sustainability practices they have adopted, and identifies key challenges and strategic solutions to enhance the effectiveness of sustainable procurement initiatives. This employs a mixed-methods approach, blending qualitative and quantitative techniques to thoroughly analyze how Green Public Procurement is being implemented. To gain deeper insights, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions are conducted with key stakeholders, including procurement officers and city government officials to shed light on their experiences and perspectives regarding Green Public Procurement. Additionally, relevant documents and policies are reviewed to better understand the existing framework and uncover any potential gaps. To complement this, structured surveys are distributed to key respondents, providing a means to measure awareness, compliance levels, and challenges related to Green Public Procurement. The collected data is then carefully analyzed using statistical tools to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for improvement. This well-rounded approach ensures that the evaluation of Green Public Procurement practices in Albay is both detailed and insightful. The findings highlight that the cities of Tabaco, Legazpi, and Ligao in the Province of Albay have a basic awareness of Green Public Procurement, particularly in relation to Republic Act 9184. However, they lack a deeper understanding of how to effectively integrate green criteria into their regular procurement processes. While these cities engage in various sustainable development initiatives, there are no specific programs in place to encourage end users to prioritize green products during procurement. Moreover, the implementation of Green Public Procurement in these cities is hindered by the absence of essential elements such as binding policies, local ordinances, established procedures, and clear targets for Green Public Procurement adoption. These gaps present significant challenges to fully embrace sustainable procurement practices in the region.