GPPB Resolution No. 20 (2026)

GPPB Resolution No. 20-2026 dated 14 August 2026 Page 1 of 3 RESOLUTION NO. 20-2026

APPROVING THE CIRCULAR ON THE CONDUCT OF PROCUREMENT ACTIVITIES DURING THE ELECTION PERIOD FOR THE 2026 BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS

WHEREAS, Republic Act (RA) No. 12009, otherwise known as the “New Government Procurement Act” (the “Act”), took effect on 13 August 2024, while its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) took effect on 25 February 2025;

WHEREAS, Section 91 of RA No. 12009 mandates that the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) shall be the central body that sets strategic direction and makes policy decisions regarding all matters affecting public procurement, having due regard to the country’s regional and international obligations, and is tasked to lead the nation’s efforts in advancing public procurement reforms in accordance with the Act;

WHEREAS, Section 2 of RA No. 122321 provides that the next regular Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) shall be held on the first Monday of November 2026 and every four (4) years thereafter;

WHEREAS, Section 261, paragraphs (v) and (w) of Batas Pambansa Bilang 881, series of 1985, or the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines, prohibits certain transactions pertaining to the release, disbursement or expenditure of public funds, and construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works, and issuance of treasury warrants and similar devices, during the period of forty-five days before a regular election and thirty days before a special election, subject to certain exceptions;

WHEREAS, Section 3 of RA No. 6679,2 as amended by RA No. 10923,3 mandates that the construction or maintenance of barangay-funded roads and bridges shall be prohibited for a period of ten (10) days immediately preceding the date of elections;4

WHEREAS, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) issued Resolution No. 11191 dated 28 January 20265 prescribing the Election Period from 3 October 2026 to 9 November 2026. The Resolution also provides the prohibited activities during the Election Period for the 2026 BSKE, including the release, disbursement or expenditure of public funds and construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works and issuance of treasury warrants and similar devices from 18 September 2026 to 1 November 2026, and construction or maintenance of barangay funded roads and bridges from 23 October 2026 to 1 November 2026, pursuant to Section 3 of RA No. 6679, as amended by Section 4 of RA No. 10923;

WHEREAS, the COMELEC subsequently issued Resolution No. 11265 dated 5 August 2026, prescribing the rules and regulations on the prohibition against the release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds for social services and housing-related projects, and issuance of treasury warrants and similar devices in connection with the 2 November 2026 BSKE;

1 An Act Setting the Term of Office of the Barangay Officials and Members of the Sangguniang Kabataan, and for Other Purposes, approved on 13 August 2026. 2 An Act to Amend Republic Act No. 6653 to Postpone the Barangay Elections to March 28, 1989, Prescribing Additional Rules Governing the Conduct of Barangay Election and for Other Purposes, approved on 04 November 1988. 3 An Act Postponing the October 2016 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 9164, as amended by Republic Act No. 9340 and Republic Act No. 10656 Prescribing Additional Rules Governing the Conduct of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections and for Other Purposes, approved on 15 October 2016. 4 Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 261, paragraphs (v) and (w) of the Omnibus Election Code dated 03 December 1985, RA No. 6679 originally banned the construction or maintenance of various roads and bridges for ten (10) days before a barangay election. However, as amended by RA No. 10923, this ban now only applies to the construction or maintenance of barangay funded roads and bridges. 5 Calendar of Activities and Periods of Certain Prohibited Acts in Connection with the November 2, 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

GPPB Resolution No. 20-2026 dated 14 August 2026 Page 2 of 3

WHEREAS, during previous BSKEs, the GPPB issued guidelines and clarifications to guide Procuring Entities on the conduct of procurement activities during the Election Period in relation to the provisions of the Omnibus Election Code, RA No. 6679, and applicable COMELEC Resolutions;

WHEREAS, during the meeting of the GPPB Inter-Agency Technical Working Group (IATWG) on 11 August 2026, the GPPB-Technical Support Office (TSO) proposed the issuance of a Circular providing guidelines on the conduct of procurement activities in connection with the 2 November 2026 BSKE and, in view of pending legislative measures seeking its postponement, recommended the inclusion of a provision stating that, in case the conduct of the BSKE is cancelled, postponed, deferred, or otherwise not pursued, the Circular shall no longer be applicable. There being no objection, the IATWG agreed to endorse the proposal of the GPPB- TSO to the GPPB for approval;

WHEREAS, during the 5th GPPB Meeting on 14 August 2026, the GPPB, after thorough deliberation and inputs from members of the Board, agreed to approve the Guidelines on the Conduct of Procurement Activities during the Election Period for the 2 November 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections;

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing, WE, the Members of the GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT POLICY BOARD, by virtue of the powers vested on US by law, hereby RESOLVE to confirm, adopt, and approve, as WE hereby confirm, adopt, and approve the following:

1. APPROVE the Guidelines on the Conduct of Procurement Activities during the Election Period for the 2 November 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections to be issued as a GPPB Circular, a copy of which is attached as Annex “A” hereof; and

2. PROVIDE that, in case the conduct of the BSKE scheduled on 2 November 2026 is cancelled, postponed, deferred, or otherwise not pursued, the Circular shall no longer be applicable.

APPROVED this 14th day of August 2026 at Quezon City, Philippines.

GPPB Resolution No. 20-2026 dated 14 August 2026 Page 3 of 3

___________________________________ GPPB, Chairperson DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT

___________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMY, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

___________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

___________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE ___________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS

___________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ___________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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PROCUREMENT SERVICE - DBM PRIVATE SECTOR REPRESENTATIVE

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Annex “A” of GPPB Resolution No. 20-2026 dated 14 August 2026 Page 1 of 4

CIRCULAR NO. 09-2026

To : Heads of Departments, Bureaus, Offices, Agencies of the National Government; State Universities and Colleges; Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations; Government Financial Institutions; Local Government Units;

Subject : Guidelines on the Conduct of Procurement Activities during the Election Period for the 2 November 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections

1.0 PURPOSE

1.1 This Circular is issued to provide guidelines to Procuring Entities (PEs) relative to the conduct of procurement activities during the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) from 3 October 2026 to 9 November 2026 (“Election Period”) pursuant to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution Nos. 11191 dated 28 January 2026,1 and 11265 dated 5 August 2026,2 including the procurement projects and activities that are prohibited under Section 3 of Republic Act (RA) No. 6679,3 as amended,4 and Section 261(v) and (w) of the Omnibus Election Code.5

1.2 This also serves to remind PEs that the prohibited activities during the Election Period is not intended to paralyze the operations of the government, but to insulate government procurement from political partisan activities, such as those involving new projects designed to influence the public during the upcoming 2 November 2026 BSKE.

1 Calendar of Activities and Periods of Certain Prohibited Acts in Connection with the November 2, 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). 2 Rules and Regulations on the Prohibition Against the Release, Disbursement, or Expenditure of Public Funds for Social Services and Housing-Related Projects, and Issuance of Treasury Warrants and Similar Devices in connection with the November 2, 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). 3 An Act to Amend Republic Act No. 6653 to Postpone the Barangay Elections to March 28, 1989, Prescribing Additional Rules Governing the Conduct of Barangay Elections and for other Purposes. 4 RA No. 10923, entitled “An Act Postponing the October 2016 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 9164, as Amended by Republic Act No. 9340 and Republic Act No. 10656, Prescribing Additional Rules Governing the Conduct of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections and for Other Purposes.” 5 Batas Pambansa Bilang 881, series of 1985.

Annex “A” of GPPB Resolution No. 20-2026 dated 14 August 2026 Page 2 of 4 2.0 SCOPE

These Guidelines shall apply to PEs of all branches and instrumentalities of the National Government, its departments, bureaus, offices and agencies, including State Universities and Colleges (SUCs); Government-Owned and/or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs); Government Financial Institutions (GFI); and Local Government Units (LGUs).

3.0 DEFINITION OF TERMS

3.1 Expenditure pertains to the payment or delivery of money or anything of value, or a contract, promise, or agreement to make an expenditure for the purpose of influencing the results of the election. It shall also include the use of facilities personally owned by the candidate, the money value of the use of which can be assessed based on the rates prevailing in the area.6

3.2 Public Works refer to Infrastructure Projects as defined under Section 5(o) of RA No. 12009, or the “New Government Procurement Act.” It shall include the construction, improvement, rehabilitation, demolition, repair, restoration, or maintenance of roads and bridges, railways, airports, seaports, communication facilities, civil works components of information technology projects, irrigation, flood control, and drainage, water supply, sewerage, and solid waste management systems, shore protection, energy/power, and electrification facilities, national buildings, school buildings, hospital buildings, and other related construction projects of the government.

3.3 Social Welfare and Services refer to the services rendered by the government to provide aid, support, or assistance to the disadvantaged, distressed or vulnerable persons or sectors of society.

3.4 Housing-Related Projects refer to activities or projects undertaken by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and any other office of the government performing functions similar to the said department.

3.5 Routine, Normal or Administrative Expenses refer to expenses required for the day-to-day operations of the government entity, such as salaries, light, heat, and power.

4.0 GENERAL CONDITIONS

4.1 PEs are allowed to proceed with the commencement and completion of procurement activities during the Election Period. However, the release, disbursement, and expenditure of public funds, specifically the issuance

6 Section 94, Article XI of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881, or the OEC.

Annex “A” of GPPB Resolution No. 20-2026 dated 14 August 2026 Page 3 of 4 of a Notice of Award, are prohibited for the following procurement projects starting 18 September 2026 (Friday) until 1 November 2026 (Sunday):

a. All kinds of Public Works and Housing-Related Projects, except those provided in Sections 4.2.1 and 4.2.3 of this Circular; and

b. Social Welfare and Services projects of national, regional, provincial, and local government units and those of government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries, except those provided in

Section 4.2.2 of this Circular.

The giving and distribution of Ayuda, Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), shall be absolutely prohibited from 23 October through 2 November 2026, except for burial and medical assistance normally given to qualified individuals.

4.2 The following procurement projects are exempted from the application of the prohibition provided in Item 4.1 of this Circular, thus:

4.2.1 For Public Works

a. Maintenance of existing and/or completed public works where no additional laborers are employed;

b. Work undertaken by contract through public bidding or negotiated contract awarded before 18 September 2026;

c. Preparatory works or the payment for the usual cost of preparation for working drawings, specifications, bills of materials, estimates, and other procedures preparatory to actual construction including the purchase of materials and equipment before 18 September 2026;

d. Ongoing projects commenced before 22 October 2026, the start of the campaign period, and are listed as authorized public works or projects by the COMELEC;

e. Projects under foreign agreements or ongoing foreign-assisted projects commenced before 22 October 2026 and submitted to the COMELEC; and

f. Emergency work necessitated by the occurrence of a public calamity but limited to the restoration of the damaged facility.

Annex “A” of GPPB Resolution No. 20-2026 dated 14 August 2026 Page 4 of 4 4.2.2 For Social Welfare and Services Projects

a. Routine and Normal Expenses; and

b. Such other expenses as may be authorized by the COMELEC after due notice and hearing.

4.2.3 For Housing-Related Projects

a. Administrative Expenses; and

b. Such other expenses authorized by the COMELEC after due notice and hearing.

5.0 Construction or maintenance of barangay-funded roads and bridges shall be prohibited for a period of ten (10) days immediately preceding the date of the election or from 23 October 2026 to 1 November 2026.

6.0 SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS AND REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION

The submission of the list of exemptions to the COMELEC shall be subject to the Commission’s rules and regulations. Should a PE intend to award procurement projects which are covered by the prohibition, the request for exemption shall be directly submitted to the COMELEC for resolution.

7.0 CANCELLATION, POSTPONEMENT, OR DEFERMENT OF THE 2026 BSKE

In case the conduct of the BSKE scheduled on 2 November 2026 is cancelled, postponed, deferred, or otherwise not pursued, the provisions of these Guidelines shall no longer be applicable.

8.0 This Circular shall take effect immediately.

9.0 For guidance and strict compliance.

KIM ROBERT C. DE LEON

Chairperson

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