UP ITDC Hosts Webinar on Strategic IT Procurement for SUCs



The UP ITDC successfully held a free webinar titled Strategic IT Procurement for State Universities and Colleges on 1 October 2025, attracting an impressive turnout of 862 participants.

Conducted via Zoom, the three-hour session brought together personnel from state universities and colleges (SUCs) nationwide. Among the attendees were representatives from Apayao State College, Central Philippines State University, Partido State University, Eastern Samar State University, and Isabela State University (Cauayan Campus).

Serving as the resource speaker was Dr. Maria Teresita M. Semana, Chief Information Officer of the Procurement Service–Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) and Director of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS). Dr. Semana is at the forefront of modernizing PhilGEPS—a centralized platform for government procurement that integrates e-Bidding, e-Marketplace, and e-Payment functionalities to support the administration’s digital transformation agenda.

In her presentation, Dr. Semana emphasized that IT procurement today goes beyond acquiring hardware and software. It involves aligning technology investments with institutional goals, optimizing costs, and cultivating strategic supplier relationships. She guided participants through the evolving landscape of IT procurement, highlighting the following key learning outcomes:

  • Understanding the IT Procurement Life Cycle
  • Identifying and Mitigating Common Challenges
  • Practicing Strategic Sourcing
  • Fostering Stakeholder Collaboration
  • Leveraging Technology and Data Analytics
  • Ensuring Compliance and Promoting Transparency
  • Planning for Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
  • Drawing Insights from Real-World Experience

Dr. Semana concluded by underscoring the strategic importance of procurement in organizational success. Whether for small enterprises or large institutions, a well-managed procurement process is essential for operational efficiency and long-term sustainability.

This initiative reflects UP ITDC’s unwavering commitment to enhancing institutional workflows, promoting transparency and compliance in IT procurement, and advancing its leadership in digital transformation across the higher education sector. (Levi Lusterio, ITDC, 2 October 2025)