Question & AnswerQ&A (MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 180)
The NPO is the primary and main provider of printing services to national, provincial, city and municipal governments, agencies, instrumentalities, and government corporations as mandated by law, subject to specific qualifications.
The National Printing Office (NPO) has exclusive jurisdiction over the printing of accountable forms with money value and specialized accountable forms of the requisitioning office or agency, subject to guidelines including possible contracting to accredited private security printers if the NPO cannot fulfill the order within 30 days.
If the NPO is incapable of undertaking the printing job within 30 days, it shall immediately conduct a public bidding to be participated in by NPO-accredited private security printers, awarding the job in accordance with relevant procurement laws, rules, and regulations.
The printing shall be done under the strict control and supervision of the NPO, and in the presence of its representative along with representatives from the Commission on Audit and the requisitioning agency.
Public documents such as the Official Gazette, General Appropriations Act, Philippine Reports, and development information materials of the Philippine Information Agency remain the exclusive printing jurisdiction of the NPO.
Official ballots and other accountable election forms and paraphernalia shall be printed exclusively by the NPO and/or the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas under proper security measures provided by the Commission on Elections. If the NPO cannot meet the requirements, it must promptly certify this so the Commission can contract private printers as allowed by law.
Yes. Government agencies may source printing services outside the NPO provided that the private sector's offer is superior in quality, lower in cost, flexible in meeting target completion times, they adhere to guidelines set by the Philippine Information Agency, and a prior written waiver from the NPO is secured.
Prior written waiver from the NPO must be secured before the agency proceeds with contracting private printers.
The NPO may accept other government printing jobs, including government publications, but not on an exclusive basis.
All executive issuances, orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with this Memorandum Circular are revoked, amended, or modified accordingly.