Title
Preference for Filipino and US-made government purchases
Law
Commonwealth Act No. 138
Decision Date
Nov 7, 1936
Commonwealth Act No. 138 requires government agencies in the Philippines to prioritize products made in the Philippines or the United States when purchasing materials for public use, while also establishing conditions for awarding contracts based on the lowest bid, promoting economic growth and fair competition.
A

Key Definitions

  • "United States": Encompasses the United States of America, the District of Columbia, and any State or territory of the North American Union.
  • "Domestic entity": Any citizen of the Philippines or U.S. habitually engaged in business of manufacturing or selling covered merchandise; corporate bodies or commercial companies duly organized under Philippine law with at least 75% capital owned by Philippine or U.S. citizens.
  • "Domestic bidder": Offers unmanufactured or manufactured articles, materials, or supplies grown, produced, or substantially manufactured in the Philippines or the United States.
  • "Foreign bid": Offers articles, materials, or supplies not substantially grown, produced, or manufactured in the Philippines or the United States.

Preference and Purchase Conditions for Government Procurement

  • Only unmanufactured articles grown or produced in the Philippines or United States or manufactured articles substantially made from such materials can be purchased.
  • Specific conditions for awarding contracts in bidding:
    • Foreign bids up to 2 pesos: award to domestic bidder if bid is not over 100% above foreign bid.
    • Foreign bids between 2 to 20 pesos: award to domestic bidder if bid is not over 50% above foreign bid.
    • Foreign bids between 20 to 200 pesos: award to domestic bidder if bid is not over 25% above foreign bid.
    • Foreign bids between 200 to 2,000 pesos: award to domestic bidder if bid is not over 20% above foreign bid.
    • Foreign bids exceeding 2,000 pesos: award to domestic bidder if bid is not over 15% above foreign bid.

Bidding Among Multiple Bidders

  • Award shall be made to the domestic entity with the lowest bid, provided it does not exceed by more than 15% the lowest bid submitted by a non-domestic bidder.

Effectivity

  • The Act became effective upon its approval on November 7, 1936.

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