Legal Basis and Need for Green Procurement
- Article 4 Section 27 of Republic Act 9003 mandates the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to create a coding system facilitating waste recycling and reuse.
- There is an urgent requirement for an integrated Green Procurement Program to encourage production and use of environmentally sound products.
- A comprehensive National Ecolabelling Program is necessary to support Green Procurement in government and the general public.
Section 1: Establishment of Green Procurement Program
- All government departments, offices, and agencies must establish their own Green Procurement Programs.
- Objectives include:
- Promoting environmentally informed decision-making in government purchases.
- Including environmental criteria in public tenders when possible.
- Setting specifications and requirements to identify environmentally advantageous products/services.
- Creating incentives for suppliers of green products.
Section 2: Implementation Requirements and Reporting
- Departments and agencies must submit their Green Procurement Programs to the National Ecolabelling Program Board (ELPB) within 6 months of the Order's effectivity.
- Full implementation is targeted within 18 months from effectivity.
- The ELPB shall regularly report to the Office of the President via the President Management Staff on agency compliance and performance.
Section 3: Third-Party Verification by ELPB
- The ELPB acts as the official third-party verifier for environmental claims of products and services.
- It maintains and updates a list of certified environmentally sound products based on established criteria.
Section 4: Funding Provisions
- Funding for implementing individual agency Green Procurement Programs shall come from their existing funds.
- The Department of Trade and Industry is responsible under Republic Act 9003 for funding the operations of the Ecolabelling Program.
Section 5: Effectivity Clause
- The Executive Order takes immediate effect upon signing.
Signing and Authentication
- Signed by the President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and the Executive Secretary Alberto G. Romulo on March 29, 2004, in Manila.