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DAY 1 – April 28, 2025

Topic	Presenters/Panelists
Registration of Participants
Preliminaries	–	Master of Ceremonies
Welcome and Opening Ceremony	Welcome Message	Hon. Amenah Pangandaman Secretary Department of Budget and Management
	Opening Remarks	Ms. Dandan Chen Operations Manager World Bank
	Keynote Speech	His Excellency, Hon. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The President of the Republic of the Philippines
Commemorative Photograph
Break/Networking
Rationale for the Forum		Mr. Diomedes Berroa Procurement Manager East Asia and Pacific Region (EAP) World Bank
From Acceleration to Impact: Sustaining Momentum in Public Procurement for the People	Presenter	Ms. Hye-Kyeong Kim Director Representative from the previous Country Host, Korea Public Procurement Service (KPPS), South Korea
Panel 1 – Procurement in Action: From Contracts to Societal Impact Discover how procurement serves as a strategic tool and policy driver in achieving critical social mandates including SMEs, Jobs and Gender. This session will focus on how procurement mechanisms are designed to address societal needs, empower communities, and deliver lasting impacts, showcasing its transformative role in governance.	Presenter	Atty. Rowena Candice A. Ruiz Undersecretary Department of Education
	Discussants / Panelists:	Mr. Saimoni Veramu Head of Procurement Procurement Office, Ministry of Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics, Fiji
		Mr. Diomedes Berroa Procurement Manager East Asia and Pacific Region (EAP) World Bank
		Mr. Jeffrey Taylor Deputy Director General Procurement, Portfolio and Financial Management, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
		Ms. Boonyaporn Harnyuenyongsakul Legal Officer Professional Level, Comptroller General’s Department, Ministry of Finance, Thailand
	Moderator:	Atty. Kirbee Tibayan National Programme Officer United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Lunch/Video Presentation (Highlights)
Panel 2 – Procurement for Generation Beta: Delivering Value for the Future Value for money is no longer just about cost—it’s about delivering outcomes that align with societal expectations and generational priorities. This panel examines how procurement connects strategic investments with long-term societal goals, addressing the evolving expectations of Generation Beta.	Discussants / Panelists:	Ms. Soh Siew Luie Deputy Director of Govt Proc Function Office Ministry of Finance, Republic of Singapore
		Atty. Dennis S. Santiago Managing Director Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
		Ms. Sania Taumaheke Director Central Procurement Unit, Ministry of Finance Tuvalu
		Mr. Charlie Villasenor Executive Director Procurement & Supply Institute of Asia (PASIA)
		Mr. Gul Kamali Global Lead Project Procurement & Financial Management Division (PPFMD), Islamic Bank (IsDB)
	Moderator:	Mr. Howard Bariira Centenary Lead Procurement Specialist World Bank
Break/Networking
Panel 3 – Raising the Bar: Professionalizing Procurement for Impact Explore how professionalization in procurement strengthens accountability and drives value for money. This session will delve into training, capacity-building, and certification programs as pathways to enhance strategic decision-making and public trust in procurement systems.	Presenter:	Mr. George Jadoun Senior Procurement Advisor Former Head of the Procurement Division, International Labor Organization-International Training Center (ILO-ITC)]
	Discussants / Panelists:	Dr. Nguyen The Vinh Vice President Academy of Policy and Development – Ministry of Finance
		Atty. Sofia Yanto-Abad Deputy Director General Government Procurement Policy Board – Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO) Philippines
		Mr. Ashutosh Vajpayee Financial Advisor Government of Rajasthan Transport and Road Safety Department Rajasthan, Republic of India
	Moderator:	Dr. Eileen Lorena M. Mamino Assistant to the Chancellor and Alumni Relations Director University of the Philippines in Los Banos

DAY 2 – April 29, 2025

Topic	Presenters/Panelists
Registration of Participants
Panel 4 – Sustainable Procurement: Beyond Green Policies to Real Impact Sustainability in procurement is evolving rapidly. This panel highlights cutting-edge innovations and emerging trends, from circular economy practices to new environmental standards that are shaping the future of sustainable public spending.	Presenters:	Mr. Senthil Kumar Subramani Procurement Senior Manager United Nations Office for Project Services Ms. Soh Siew Luie Deputy Director Government Procurement Function Office Ministry of Finance, Republic of Singapore
	Discussants / Panelists:	Atty. Patrick T. Aquino Director Energy Utilization Management Bureau Department of Energy, Philippines
	Discussants / Panelists:	For. June M. Alvarez Executive Director Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc. (PCEPSDI)
	Moderator:	Ms. Maria Arnal Canudo Consultant World Bank
Break/Networking
Panel 5 – Women at the Forefront: Transforming Procurement Through Inclusion Celebrate the transformative impact of women-led businesses in public procurement. This session highlights creative approaches and bold initiatives that break down barriers, empower women entrepreneurs, and reshape procurement systems to be more equitable and dynamic.	Presenter:	Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka Former Executive Director of UN Women & Deputy President of South Africa Founder of Umlambo Foundation; Gender Activist and Campaigner for Universal Access to Education
	Discussants / Panelists:	Ms. Beth Elson Inclusion Advisor Partnerships for Infrastructure
		Ms. Yuyu Yulianti Senior Policy Analyst Directorate for Business Climate Development and International Cooperation, LKPP, Indonesia
		Ms. Mikaela Luisa Carmen R. Teves Executive Director Spark Philippines, Inc.
	Moderator:	Ms. Manjola Malo Senior Procurement Specialist South Asia Region, World Bank
Lunch
Panel 6 – AI Sandbox: Experimenting with the Future of Public Procurement Like a sandbox for innovation, procurement systems must evolve to test new ideas while managing risks. This session explores how experimental procurement environments are enabling the adoption of AI, data-driven strategies, and community-focused innovations to deliver value for people	Presenter:	Mr. Khalid Bin Anjum Senior Procurement Specialist World Bank
	Discussants / Panelists:	Mr. Pankaj Dikshit Chief Technology Officer Government e-Marketplace, India
	Discussants / Panelists:	Ms. Pham Thi Thuy Ha Director Procurement Department Vietnam Electricity
	Moderator:	Mr. Saad Abdullah Paracha Senior Public Sector Specialist Asian Development Bank
Break/Networking
Panel 7 – Open Government Procurement: Driving Transparency and Public Participation Artificial intelligence and big data are reshaping procurement practices worldwide. This panel explores how these technologies enhance transparency, improve decision-making, and promote participatory governance while ensuring accountability in public spending.	Presenter:	Mr. Xavier Hughes CEO and co-founder of Prokur, Inc. Distinguished Innovation and AI Fellow for the office of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Co-Chair of President Obama’s 21st Century Modernization Task Force
	Discussants / Panelists	Mr. Januar Indra Senior Policy Analyst Directorate for Digital Procurement System, LKPP, Indonesia
		Atty. Genmaries Entredicho-Caong Executive Director Procurement Service – Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM)
		Ms. Altansukh Oyunjargall Country Procurement Authority Representative, Mongolia
		Mr. Kenneth R. Abante Executive Director WeSolve
	Moderator:	Mr. Sandino J. Soliman Executive Director Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO)

DAY 3 – April 30, 2025

Topic	Presenters/Panelists
Registration of Participants
Panel 8 – Unmasking Ownership: Enhancing Transparency in Procurement Go beyond surface-level transparency by addressing the critical issue of beneficial ownership. This panel explores how uncovering hidden ownership structures strengthens trust, mitigates corruption risks, and promotes equity in procurement processes.	Presenters:	Atty. Andrej Leontiev, LL.M External Expert on Beneficial Ownership Transparency and Anti Money Laundering, EU Global Facility on AML/CFT); co-author, Slovakian Anti-shell Companies Law
	Discussants / Panelists:	Atty. Emily Manuel Asia Pacific Regional Manager Open Ownership
		Atty. Genmaries Entredicho-Caong Executive Director Procurement Service – Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM)
		Atty. Daniel Luis Macalino Officer in Charge, Anti-Money Laundering Division Security and Exchange Commission
	Moderator:	Mr. Redempto Parafina Managing Director Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia and Pacific (ANSA-EAP)
Break/Networking
Panel 9 – Connecting the Dots: Public Procurement Practices Around the Globe This session brings together lessons from procurement practices across the globe. Panelists will share impactful innovations, challenges, and strategies that are transforming public procurement into a force for global progress and equitable development.	Presenter:	Mr. Diomedes Berroa Procurement Manager EAP Region, World Bank
	Discussants / Panelists	Mr. Jeffrey Taylor Deputy Director General ADB
		Mr. Parises Rattanaphirom Fiscal Analyst Professional Level, Comptroller General’s Department, Min. of Finance, Thailand
		Atty. Maria Dionesia A. Rivera-Guillermo Officer-in-Charge Government Procurement Policy Board – Technical Support Office
		Mr. Gul Kamali Global Lead PPFMD, IsDB
	Moderator:	Ms. Vivien Suerte-Cortez Team Leader, Institutions and Partnerships United Nations Development Programme
Closing Ceremony and Selection of Next Host Country	Closing Remarks	Atty. Janet B. Abuel DBM Undersecretary and GPPB Alternate Chairperson Philippines
Closing Ceremony and Selection of Next Host Country	Handover	Government of the Philippines World Bank Next Country Host (Kingdom of Thailand)

EAP-IPPC PROGRAM Download

His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

President of the Republic of the Philippines
Keynote

	Hon. Amenah F. Pangandaman Secretary Department of Budget and Management Welcome Message		Ms. Dandan Chen Manager of Operations World Bank Opening Remarks
	Mr. Diomedes Berroa Procurement Manager EAP Region, World Bank Rationale of the Forum		Atty. Janet B. Abuel Undersecretary Department of Budget and Management Closing Remarks

	Ms. Hye-Kyeong Kim Director Representative from the previous Country Host, Korea Public Procurement Service (KPPS), South Korea		Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka Former Executive Director of UN Women & Deputy President of South Africa Founder of Umlambo Foundation; Gender Activist and Campaigner for Universal Access to Education Panel 5 – Women at the Forefront: Transforming Procurement Through Inclusion(download presentation here)
	Atty. Rowena Candice A. Ruiz Undersecretary-designate for Finance and Procurement Department of Education Panel 1 – Procurement in Action: Societal Impacts (download presentation here)		Mr. Khalid Bin Anjum Senior Procurement Specialist World Bank Panel 6 – AI Sandbox: Experimenting with the Future of Public Procurement (download presentation here)
	Mr. George Jadoun Senior Procurement Advisor Former Head of the Procurement Division, International Labor Organization-International Training Center (ILO-ITC)] Panel 3 – Raising the Bar: Professionalizing Procurement for Impact (download presentation here)		Mr. Xavier Hughes CEO and co-founder of Prokur, Inc. Distinguished Innovation and AI Fellow for the office of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Co-Chair of President Obama’s 21st Century Modernization Task Force
	Mr. Senthil Kumar Subramani Procurement Senior Manager United Nations Office for Project Service Panel 4 – Sustainable Procurement: Beyond Green Policies to Real Impact (download presentation here)		Atty. Andrej Leontiev, LL.M External Expert on Beneficial Ownership Transparency and Anti Money Laundering, EU Global Facility on AML/CFT); co-author, Slovakian Anti-shell Companies Law
	Ms. Soh Siew Luie Deputy Director Government Procurement Function Office Ministry of Finance, Republic of Singapore Panel 4 – Sustainable Procurement: Beyond Green Policies to Real Impact(download presentation here)		Mr. Diomedes Berroa Procurement Manager EAP Region, World Bank

	Mr. Saimoni Veramu Head of Procurement Procurement Office, Ministry of Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics, Fiji Saimoni Veramu is a highly experienced procurement and finance professional with over 20 years of experience in both the private and public sectors. Currently, as the Head of Procurement at the Fiji Procurement Office, he manages government procurement projects focusing on transparency innovation like eTender and category management. His prior roles include significant positions at British American Tobacco, Fiji Ports Corporation, and PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he specialized in supply chain, financial strategy, risk management, and auditing. Panel 1 – Procurement in Action: From Contracts to Societal Impact		Ms. Yuyu Yulianti Senior Policy Analyst Directorate for Business Climate Development and International Cooperation, LKPP, Indonesia Head of the legal aid section for legal issue Directorate LKPP. Head of construction section for Strategy & Procurement Policy Directorate LKPP. Head of Sub-directorate of Business Entity for special procurement strategy and policy LKPP. Head of Sub -directorate of Implementation for special procurement strategy and policy Directorate LKPP. Senior Policy Analyst for Business Climate & International Cooperation Direktorate LKPP. Panel 5 – Women at the Forefront: Transforming Procurement Through Inclusion
	Mr. Jeffrey Taylor Deputy Director General Procurement, Portfolio and Financial Management, Asian Development Bank (ADB) As ADB DDG and Chief Procurement Officer, Mr. taylor is responsible for overseeing the implementation of ADB’s procurement policy across its operations, and acts as lead on departmental procurement performance targets, tracking and reporting, HR, and budget Panel 1 – Procurement in Action: From Contracts to Societal Impact Panel 9 – Connecting the Dots: Public Procurement Practices Around the Globe		Ms. Maica Teves Executive Director Spark Philippines, Inc. Maica Teves has over 20 years of multisectoral managerial experience, bridging government, civil society, and the private sector. She has served in both the Philippine Congress and Senate, specializing in communication strategies, community outreach, and constituent engagement. Holding an AB in Political Science and a Juris Doctor (J.D.), Maica is certified in Results-Based Project Management from the Asian Institute of Management. She graduated from the Swedish Institute Management Programme, aimed at emerging leaders in sustainable business. Maica was recognized as a leading woman in Southeast Asia in 2020 and won the Women of the Future Awards in 2021. She is an alumna of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitors Leadership Program and has been honored on the Leading Lights Asia Pacific Kindness and Leadership List by the British High Commission for her impactful leadership. She was recognized by the French Government for her work in Human Rights. As Executive Director of SPARK Philippines, she champions women’s empowerment and economic independence, benefiting over 7,500 women entrepreneurs. She is a fellow of the Vital Voices Visionaries program. She also represents the women’s sector on the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council. Panel 5 – Women at the Forefront: Transforming Procurement Through Inclusion
	Ms. Boonyaporn Harnyuenyongsakul Legal Officer Professional Level, Comptroller General’s Department, Ministry of Finance, Thailand Miss Boonyaporn is a professional-level Legal Officer at the Comptroller General’s Department, Ministry of Finance, currently working in the Public Procurement Division. With eight years of government service, her role focuses on proposing policies related to public procurement and enhancing regulatory efficiency. Additionally, she is part of the secretary team for the Public Procurement and Supplies Administration Ruling Committee, where she proposes recommendations to the committee’s rulings. She holds a master’s degree from the London School of Economics (LSE). Before joining the Public Procurement Division, she worked at the Civil Servant Medical Benefit Division, where she played a key role in drafting policies and guidelines. Her experience spans policy development, legal analysis, and regulatory improvement to support effective governance and public administration. Panel 1 – Procurement in Action: From Contracts to Societal Impact		Mr. Pankaj Dikshit Chief Technology Officer Government e-Marketplace, India Dr Pankaj Dikshit is an outstanding and distinguished technology leader with over three decades of experience in building large-scale national systems. As the Chief Technology Officer of Government e Marketplace (GeM), a Government-to-Business (G2B) e-commerce platform under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, he is driving transformative initiatives to modernize public procurement in India, using generative AI and agentic AI. An alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), New Delhi, Dr Dikshit holds an M. Tech and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from IIT Delhi. His academic and professional journey reflects a deep commitment to leveraging technology for solving complex challenges at scale. Dr Dikshit has led several high-impact digital transformation projects, including the building (from scratch) and rollout of India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) system, the national e-Invoice program for business transaction digitization, building the GSP eco system and also the implementation of the county-wide electronic-waybill system for commercial tax paying transporters. Panel 6 – AI Sandbox: Experimenting with the Future of Public Procurement
	Mr. Dennis S. Santiago Managing Director Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Atty. Dennis S. Santiago is the Managing Director at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Corporate Services Sector, presently involved in procurement as Chairperson of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for the New BSP Complex and the Security Plant Complex. He also provides procurement technical advisory at the Bank. He was Executive Director V of the Procurement Service – Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM), the central procurement agency of the Philippine government for common-use supplies and equipment (CSEs), where he managed the development of specifications of CSEs, their appropriate pricing, warehousing, stocking, including the supply chain discipline. He likewise supervised the full development of the Modernized Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (mPhilGEPS), the single and definitive source of information on government procurement in the Philippines. Panel 2 – Procurement for Generation Beta: Delivering Value for the Future		Ms. Ma. Victoria Basinang Chief Technology Officer Pointwest Technologies and Official Representative of the Analytics and AI Association of the Philippines (AAP) Veck Basinang has been the Chief Technology Officer, for more than a decade now, of Pointwest Technologies Corporation, a 100% Filipino-owned IT-BPM company with a global footprint. Since 2023, she has also concurrently hold the post as General Manager of Pointwest Digital Corporation, Pointwest's digital arm. In addition to spearheading service line innovations in digital technologies like Digital Transformation Consulting, Intelligent Automation, and Data and AI Solutions and Services, Veck brings to the panel her 25+ years of experience in technology leadership, business development and pre-sales from a service provider perspective. She has successfully led teams in pursuing opportunities in both the private and public. Panel 6 – AI Sandbox: Experimenting with the Future of Public Procurement
	Ms. Sania Taumaheke Director Central Procurement Unit, Ministry of Finance Tuvalu Panel 2 – Procurement for Generation Beta: Delivering Value for the Future		Ms. Pham Thi Thuy Ha Director Procurement Department Vietnam Electricity Pham Thi Thuy Ha earned LL.M degree in Commercial & Corporate Law in 2000 at Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London (UK). Prior to that, she got her Bachelor of Law from Hanoi Law University, Vietnam. She is currently the Director of the Procurement Department at Vietnam Electricity (EVN). Mrs. Ha has over 28 years of experience in procurement activities for EVN (a SOE). As head of the procurement department of EVN, she involves setting up the internal compliance system for procurement activities, doing bidding procedures for EVN’s projects… She did advisory work for preparation of Vietnam Procurement Law, relevant Decrees and guidance as well as standard bidding documents. Ha is an experienced expert in public procurement, especially procurement for SOEs. Panel 6 – AI Sandbox: Experimenting with the Future of Public Procurement
	Mr. Charlie Villasenor Executive Director Procurement & Supply Institute of Asia (PASIA) Charlie Villasenor is known as a procurement and supply chain management icon in Asia for his advancement of best practices, ethics, excellence & e-enablement in supply management. He has multi-industry experience (China Bank, 3M, Coca-Cola, Chevron) and currently leads a large multi-national group of supply chain and technology professionals to deliver results to various organizations around the world in various industries and countries. Panel 2 – Procurement for Generation Beta: Delivering Value for the Future		Mr. Januar Indra Senior Policy Analyst Directorate for Digital Procurement System, LKPP, Indonesia National Public Procurement Agency (LKPP) of the Republic of Indonesia Senior Policy Analyst, Directorate for Digital Procurement System Acting Director, Digital Procurement System Previous roles in Professional & Institutional Development, HR Development Panel 7 – Open Government Procurement: Driving Transparency and Public Participation
	Mr. Gul Kamali Global Lead Project Procurement & Financial Management Division (PPFMD), Islamic Bank (IsDB) Gul Kamali is a Global Lead Procurement Officer at the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Regional Hub- Türkiye at Ankara, with over 20 years of experience in procurement and engineering, including more than a decade at IsDB. He has led and supported key procurement reforms, policy development, and capacity-building initiatives across member countries. His current focus includes the assessment and implementation of e-GP systems, development of standard bidding documents, and strategic support for procurement operations in complex and high-value projects. He is a civil engineer by training, with a master’s degree in transportation engineering. Panel 2 – Procurement for Generation Beta: Delivering Value for the Future Panel 9 – Connecting the Dots: Public Procurement Practices Around the Globe		Atty. Genmaries S. Entredicho-Caong Executive Director Procurement Service – Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) Atty. Genmaries S. Entredicho-Caong is the current Executive Director V of the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM). Prior to becoming the Executive Director V, she was the Procurement Group Director of the PS-DBM. She has a general work experience of almost 24 years devoted to legal, development work, and technical advisory services. She has a rich experience on public procurement using international-donor financed guidelines, as well as the Philippine Government Procurement Reform Act. She is an integral part of the PS-DBM team that proposed new provisions for the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA) and was a member of the Technical Working Group for the NGPA bills in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Prior to joining PS-DBM, she was a Consultant of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), acting as Procurement and Legal Specialist of ADB for its various projects in the Philippines, supporting different government implementing agencies, such as the (i) Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines or PPP Center from 2012-2022, where she took part in providing legal and procurement advice in the procurement of consultants and transaction advisors for PPP project development and tendering; (ii) the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), where she provided support to LWUA’s Project Management Unit and the ADB’s Project Team for the Emergency Assistance for the Reconstruction and Recovery of Marawi Project; and (iii) with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) wherein she provided technical support to NEA and the ADB Southeast Asia Department in relation to the procurement-related activities under the Grant Assistance for Poor Municipalities Affected by Typhoon Yolanda. Atty. Entredicho-Caong was also World Bank’s Consultant for the Government Procurement Policy Board-Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO), in their Professionalization and Capacity Development of Procurement Practitioners Project in 2015, and in the review, updating and harmonization of the Philippine Bidding Documents and the Generic Procurement Manuals with the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9184 in 2016. Panel 7 – Open Government Procurement: Driving Transparency and Public Participation Panel 8 – Unmasking Ownership: Enhancing Transparency in Procurement
	Dr. Nguyen The Vinh Vice President Academy of Policy and Development – Ministry of Finance Nguyen The Vinh completed his PhD in Economic Development in 2006. Prior to that, he earned a Master's degree in Business Administration from the National Economic University, Vietnam. He is currently the Vice President of the Academy of Policy and Development at the Ministry of Finance1. Mr. Vinh has over 20 years of experience in advisory, research, and training. He has spent more than 10 years teaching and training in Public Procurement at the university level and through short-term courses. He is the chief author of several textbooks, including those on Public Procurement, E-bidding, and Public Procurement of International Organizations in Vietnam. Vinh is an experienced expert in public procurement, master planning, and comparative/competitive advantage in provinces. Panel 3 – Raising the Bar: Professionalizing Procurement for Impact		Ms. Altansukh Oyunjargall Country Procurement Authority Representative, Mongolia Former Senior legal specialist Government Implementing Agency – State Procurement Agency of Mongolia. Currently the, Head of Legal Division of State Procurement Agency of Mongolia. Panel 7 – Open Government Procurement: Driving Transparency and Public Participation
	Atty. Sofia Yanto-Abad Deputy Director General Government Procurement Policy Board – Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO) Philippines With over 20 years of extensive experience in both the private and public sectors, Atty. Sofia C. Yanto-Abad is a distinguished CPA lawyer and a proven leader in public governance, policy development, and executive management. She currently serves as the Deputy Director General of the Government Procurement Policy Board – Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO), tasked to be at the forefront of driving the professionalization of the public procurement practice under the New Government Procurement Act (Republic Act No. 12009). Previously, she served at the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) overseeing the preparation and execution of budgets in the human development sector. She led transformative initiatives aimed at improving policy on agency performance reviews, optimizing internal processes, and advancing digital platforms to streamline operations within the Bureau. Her leadership also played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Public Financial Management Certification Program (PFMCP), a competency program designed to enhance the skills of public financial management practitioners. From 2016 to 2022, she served as Assistant Chief of Staff at the Office of the Vice President of the Philippines, where she spearheaded the development of key policy improvements, fiscal discipline measures, and systems designed to enhance transparency, accountability, and prudent government spending. Atty. Yanto-Abad holds a Law degree from Manuel L. Quezon University and a Bachelor of Accountancy from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. As a Certified Public Accountant and an active member of the Philippine Bar, she passionately pursues advocacy for ethical leadership, accountability, and excellence in public service. Panel 3 – Raising the Bar: Professionalizing Procurement for Impact		Mr. Kenneth Isaiah Ibasco Abante (Ken) President WeSolve Foundation Inc. Kenneth Isaiah Ibasco Abante (Ken) is President of WeSolve Foundation, where he empowers communities towards systems change in the Philippines, including Tarabangan Bicol Disaster Volunteers Network for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction and management, the Safe and Sound Cities Naga Project and Move As One Coalition for sustainable transport, and the People’s Budget Coalition for budget transparency and accountability. From 2012 to 2016, Ken served in the Department of Finance in roles covering tax, customs, local finance, budget, economic policy and strategy, and the leadership transition. Ken finished with a management engineering program, with a minor in philosophy, from Ateneo de Manila University in 2012; and a master’s in public administration in international development from Harvard Kennedy School in 2019. Ken has been recognized locally, nationally, and globally, most recently as one of The Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines (TOYM 2023) honoree for socio-civic and voluntary leadership. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Maria Ressa calls Ken “civic engagement at work”. Ken loves to cook adobo, but recognizes his cooking is not nearly as good as his mother’s. Panel 7 – Open Government Procurement: Driving Transparency and Public Participation
	Mr. Ashutosh Vajpayee Financial Advisor Government of Rajasthan Transport and Road Safety Department Rajasthan, Republic of India Ashutosh Vajpeyi is a distinguished professional and senior civil servant with the Government of Rajasthan in India with three decades of experience in reforms generated system strengthening and execution. As Joint Secretary to the Government, he has led many high-impact transformation reform projects and initiatives in multiple sectors including public procurement, public financial management, contract management, health, agriculture, roads and housing infrastructures, transport, education, women and child development, water and sanitation, IT governance, and data analytics. He is an alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). His technical background with professional expertise in finance, procurement, and administration, enables him with unique proficiency in executing transformative reforms and leveraging technology. He has contributed to the World Bank’s capacity development initiatives for procurement and contract management. He is also contributing with the IMF capacity development initiatives. He also advises several countries on reforms and system strengthening initiatives. Panel 3 – Raising the Bar: Professionalizing Procurement for Impact		Atty. Emily Manuel Asia Pacific Regional Manager Open Ownership Emily Manuel has extensive experience in policy and international development, having worked as a legal consultant for development agencies, the government, and non-government organizations. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law degrees from the University of the Philippines and her Master of Law and Technology degree from Tilburg University. She is currently Open Ownership’s Senior Regional Manager for Asia Pacific, where she supports priority national governments implementing beneficial ownership transparency. Panel 8 – Unmasking Ownership: Enhancing Transparency in Procurement
	Atty. Patrick T. Aquino Director Energy Utilization Management Bureau Department of Energy, Philippines Currently the Director of the Energy Utilization Management Bureau (EUMB) under the Philippine Department of Energy (DOE). A Career Executive Service Officer (CESO) Rank III, he previously served in the Office of the Secretary (OSEC), Information Technology Management Services (ITMS) and Energy Policy and Planning Bureau (EPPB). In support of Bagong Pilipinas, he is aggressively implementing the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) Act, Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), and programs on energy fields and technologies such as hydrogen and nuclear. Panel 4 – Sustainable Procurement: Beyond Green Policies to Real Impact		Atty. Daniel Luis Macalino Officer in Charge, Anti-Money Laundering Division Security and Exchange Commission Atty. Macalino is the Assistant Director of the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), leading the Anti-Money Laundering Division, which oversees AML/CFT regulations for securities, lending, financing, and non-profit sectors and manages the country’s beneficial ownership registry. Deputized as a Special Prosecutor by the Department of Justice and a Financial Investigator by the AMLC, he joined the SEC in 2020, rising to head its AML/CFT program. A sought-after speaker at international forums, he has also served as a City Administrator and Legal Officer of a local government, Graft Prevention Officer at the Department of Finance, and Technical Staff at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process. He holds undergraduate and Master’s in Public Management degrees from Ateneo de Manila University and a Juris Doctor from Arellano University. Panel 8 – Unmasking Ownership: Enhancing Transparency in Procurement
	For. June M. Alvarez Executive Director Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc.(PCEPSDI) Mr. June M. Alvarez is the Executive Director and President of the Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development Inc. (PCEPSDI), the current administrator of the National Ecolabelling Program-Green Choice Philippines. He graduated at the University of Philippines-Los Baños with a Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry. Aside from being a registered Forester, he is also an expert in Climate Change and Sustainability specifically in Sustainable Consumption and Production. His years of experiences in the Environmental Sector have opened many opportunities to PCEPSDI to engage with local and international organizations in implementing sustainability initiatives in the country. Panel 4 – Sustainable Procurement: Beyond Green Policies to Real Impact		Mr. Parises Rattanaphirom Fiscal Analyst Professional Level, Comptroller General’s Department, Min. of Finance, Thailand Mr. Parises Rattanaphirom is a professional-level Fiscal Analyst at the Comptroller General’s Department under the Ministry of Finance, Thailand. He has been working in the Electronic Government Procurement and Focal Price Division for over six years, particularly within the Electronic Government Procurement Development Subdivision. He plays a key role in advancing the development of Thailand’s electronic government procurement system (e-GP). He ensures that the e-GP platform complies with relevant laws and regulations, enhances operational efficiency, improves user experience, and strengthens transparency in public procurement processes. He is also part of the core team driving the adoption of Blockchain technology in the bidding process, that enhanced trust and transparency in public procurement process. In addition, he is contributing to the development of several strategic projects in the future, including the integration of electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) into the e-GP registration system, the creation of Red Flag tools for risk detection, and the establishment of interconnected procurement data systems. He is committed to supporting the government’s efforts to modernize procurement practices, aiming to ensure transparent, efficient, and value-driven public spending. Panel 9 – Connecting the Dots: Public Procurement Practices Around the Globe
	Ms. Beth Elson Inclusion Advisor Partnerships for Infrastructure Beth is Inclusion Advisor for Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I). P4I is an Australian Government program that partners with Southeast Asian governments to foster inclusive growth through sustainable infrastructure. Within P4I, Beth has worked in the Philippines, Thailand and Cambodia to influence partners to redefine quality infrastructure in a way that balances economic imperatives with long term public welfare. Recent engagements in Philippines involved providing policy advice to integrate GEDSI in the New Government Procurement Act and other regulatory reforms. Beth is currently based in the UK and has 20 years of experience in international development, leading programs across SE Asia and consulting in how to meaningfully integrate gender equality, disability and social inclusion into economic governance and infrastructure programs. Panel 5 – Women at the Forefront: Transforming Procurement Through Inclusion		Atty. Maria Dionesia A. Rivera-Guillermo Officer-in-Charge Government Procurement Policy Board – Technical Support Office Atty. Maria Dionesia A. Rivera-Guillermo is the Deputy Director General and concurrent Officer-in-Charge of the Government Procurement Policy Board-Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO). With over 23 years of legal and corporate experience both locally and internationally, she has been a key figure in shaping public procurement reform in the Philippines. A member of the Philippine Bar since 2001, she has devoted more than a decade to advancing government procurement systems and legal frameworks. She represents the Philippines in foreign trade discussions involving government procurement.She led the legislative process for the New Government Procurement Act, ratified in May 2024, and has been pivotal in developing procurement policies and tools, including the modernization of the Philippine Bidding Documents and the creation of the GPPB Online PBD Builder. Prior to her leadership at GPPB-TSO, she held roles such as Head of the Legal Division and Secretariat of the Bids and Awards Committee at DPWH Cordillera Regional Office, and Senior Legal and Compliance Officer of the Middle East office of a US -based venture capital firm. Atty. Rivera-Guillermo earned her Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Cordilleras and currently pursuing her Master of Laws at San Beda College. Panel 9 – Connecting the Dots: Public Procurement Practices Around the Globe