Status of Procurement Planning, Issues and Challenges, and Proposed Interventions: Basis for Effective Service Delivery at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Masbate Province

Authors

  • Mark Julius A. Ybañez Agrarian Reform Program Technologist, Department of Agrarian Reform, Masbate Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65339/ijsair.V2.I2.299

Keywords:

Agrarian Reform, DAR Masbate, Digital Procurement, Governance Sustainability, Procurement Planning, Public Procurement, Service Delivery, Supplier Management

Abstract

This study examined the status of procurement planning practices, issues and challenges, and proposed interventions as a basis for effective service delivery at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Masbate Province. Anchored on Thai’s Public Procurement Theory, Osborne and Gaebler’s Service Delivery Theory, Hood’s New Public Management Theory, and the Input-Process-Output framework, the study employed a descriptive-survey research design. Data were gathered from thirty DAR Masbate employees directly involved in procurement planning using a validated researcher-made questionnaire and were analyzed through frequency count, percentage, weighted mean, standard deviation, and Pearson correlation. Findings showed that most respondents were female, married, aged 31–40 years, had 8–12 years of service, and were commonly assigned as BAC members and PPMP point persons. DAR Masbate demonstrated strong compliance with government procurement policies and guidelines, strong alignment with organizational goals, and strong timeliness and efficiency in procurement processes, while coordination and communication among units were generally rated agree. Issues and challenges were encountered only to a low extent, although limited qualified suppliers, insufficient training, and inaccurate cost estimates remained key concerns. The relationship between procurement planning practices and encountered challenges was weak and not statistically significant. The study concluded that DAR Masbate has generally strong procurement planning practices, but further improvement is needed in coordination, training, supplier engagement, cost estimation, monitoring, and digital procurement systems. The study supports SDG 8, SDG 9, SDG 11, SDG 16, and SDG 17 by promoting efficient public service delivery, institutional accountability, innovation, community support, and stakeholder collaboration. Its sustainability impact lies in strengthening governance, improving institutional processes, and supporting timely services for agrarian reform beneficiaries and rural communities.

References

Akirolabs. (2025, February 20). Top 10 common procurement challenges and how to overcome them. https://www.akirolabs.com/blog/procurement-challenges-solutions

Althabatah, A., Yaqot, M., Menezes, B., & Kerbache, L. (2023). Transformative procurement trends: Integrating Industry 4.0 technologies for enhanced procurement processes. Logistics, 7(3), 63.

Among, R. (2020). Procurement planning and service delivery in Ngora District Local Government [Unpublished dissertation]. Busitema University.

Ansah, J., & Normanyo, S. (2020). Importance of planning on effective procurement delivery at the decentralised departments of governance in line with the Procurement Act 2003 (Act 663) of Ghana: The case of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Western Region of Ghana. Public Policy and Administration Research, 7(8), 39–48.

Aquilino, A. (2022). The land law reform in the Philippines state. Jurnal Akta, 9(1), 14–24. https://doi.org/10.30659/akta.v9i1.20491

Awoke, P. O. (2021). Total quality management practices for improving procurement performance of petroleum producing companies [Doctoral dissertation, Walden University]. Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies, 11155.

Baraka, N. U., & Mwalukasa, B. E. (2024). The effects of procurement planning on public procurement performance. Asian Journal of Management, Entrepreneurship and Social Science, 5(1), 23–39.

Bautista, M. R., & Zheng, D. (2024). Enhancing security response: A comparative study of U.S. and Philippine defense acquisition system with emphasis on the U.S. rapid acquisition process (Acquisition Management; NPS-AM-24-088). Acquisition Research Program.

Castañeda, I. E., Cuntapay, M. C. C., De Guzman, L. R. B., de Vera, A. M. G., Toledo, A. R. L., & De Leon, C. L. (2023). The government procurement law (RA 9184) and its IRR: Flaws on the compliance based on the observations in the procurement bidding process by the employees of the Philippine Center for Postharvest and Mechanization Development (PHilMech). International Journal of Advanced Engineering, Management and Science, 9(5).

Castillo-Carandang, N. T., Leining, L. M., Mandalakas, A. M., Murray, K. O., Liao, J. C. M., Cabatos-Riña, M. M., & Gatchalian, S. R. (2022). Rural physicians’ experiences with diagnosis, treatment, and management of pediatric tuberculosis before and after disasters in Bohol. Philippine Journal of Development, 46(2c).

Cembrano, E. L. L. (2025, January 15). The New Government Procurement Act: Promises, problems, and progress. ACCRALAW. https://accralaw.com/2025/01/15/the-new-government-procurement-act-promises-problems-and-progress/

Changalima, I. A., & Mdee, A. E. (2023). Procurement skills and procurement performance in public organizations: The mediating role of procurement planning. Cogent Business & Management, 10(1), 2163562.

DAR Region 6. (n.d.). A glimpse into the history of agrarian reform in the Philippines: The journey of agrarian reform in the country traces back to September 10, 1974 [Facebook post]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/darregion6/posts/a-glimpse-into-the-history-of-agrarian-reform-in-the-philippinesthe-journey-of-a/1153824616780284/

Department of Agrarian Reform. (2023). Memorandum Circular No. 05, series of 2023.

Department of Agrarian Reform. (2025). DAR, Central Visayas leaders unite to strengthen peace and development. https://www.dar.gov.ph/darco-news-subroute/23297

Dube, T. P., & Bimha, H. (2025). A qualitative analysis of the professionalisation of public procurement in the Kingdom of Eswatini. Science Journal of Business and Management, 13(1), 21–34. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjbm.20251301.12

Dy, K. (2021). ‘Farm holding redistribution’ ratio: Official land redistribution data in search of corroborating evidence (MPRA Paper No. 108690). Munich Personal RePEc Archive. https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/108690/

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. (2025). Transparency in public procurement.

Gabriel, A. G., & Castillo, L. C. (2020). Transparency and accountability practices of local government units in the Philippines: A measurement from the ground. Public Organization Review, 20(3), 437–457. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11115-019-00450-8

Galang, I. M. R. (2022). Boosting the productivity of agrarian reform beneficiaries through parcelization of collective Certificate of Land Ownership Awards. Philippine Journal of Development, 46(2a). https://doi.org/10.62986/pjd2022.46.2a

Go, N. J. P. (2025). Effectiveness of organizational communication of the Department of Agriculture Cordillera Administrative Region. Cognizance Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 5(3), 174–191. https://doi.org/10.47760/cognizance.2025.v05i03.015

Hassan, H. B. (2025). Public procurement practices, corruption perception, and service delivery in the EU: An empirical analysis of financial accountability and predictive roles. Journal of Accounting, Ethics & Public Policy, 26(2), Article 82. https://doi.org/10.60154/jaepp.2025.v26n2p82

Hood, C. (1991). A public management for all seasons? Public Administration, 69(1), 3–19. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9299.1991.tb00779.x

Jackson, J. G., & Ombui, K. (2018). Effects of procurement planning on service delivery in state corporations in Kenya: A case of Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization. Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 5(2), 1326–1359. https://doi.org/10.61426/sjbcm.v5i2.734

Jaffu, R., & Changalima, I. A. (2023). Human resource development practices and procurement effectiveness: Implications from public procurement professionals in Tanzania. European Journal of Management Studies, 28(2), 149–169. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJMS-04-2022-0030

Karaan, M. M. L. (2021). An empirical study of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) cases. Philippine Law Journal, 94(2), 401–434.

Kariuki, M. C., & Wabala, S. (2021). Influence of procurement planning on the procurement performance of selected county governments in Kenya. International Research Journal of Business and Strategic Management, 2(2). https://www.irjp.org/index.php/irjbsm/article/view/39

Kassahun, M. (2021). Assessment of project procurement practices in public institution: Case of Engineering Department at AAIT, AAU [Master’s thesis, St. Mary’s University]. St. Mary’s University Institutional Repository. http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/6707

Keitany, P. J. (2024). Procurement planning and service delivery of procurement function in Uasin Gishu County Government, Kenya: The role of procurement professionals. The International Journal of Business Management and Technology, 8(1), 1–14. https://theijbmt.com/archive/0955/21912425.pdf

Kohler, J. C., & Wright, T. (2020). The urgent need for transparent and accountable procurement of medicine and medical supplies in times of COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, 13, Article 58. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40545-020-00256-w

Konneh, A. (2024). The impact of procurement planning on the service delivery in the Inspectorate of Government of Kampala, Uganda. Research Invention Journal of Law, Communication and Languages, 3(1), 51–61. https://rijournals.com/the-impact-of-procurement-planning-on-the-service-delivery-in-the-inspectorate-of-government-of-kampala-uganda/

Limbo, R. C. (2020). Agribusiness venture arrangements (AVAs) in agrarian reform areas in the Philippines: Identifying alternative schemes and investments for sustained productivity and competitiveness. FFTC Journal of Agricultural Policy, 1, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.56669/UALA3269

Lyra, M. S., Damásio, B., Pinheiro, F. L., & Bacao, F. (2022). Fraud, corruption, and collusion in public procurement activities, a systematic literature review on data-driven methods. Applied Network Science, 7, Article 83. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41109-022-00523-6

Magdaraog, M. (2023). Digitalization of the procurement process in the Department of Public Works and Highways in the Province of Masbate. International Journal of Education, Business and Economics Research, 3(3), 180–230.

Manlapas, O. R., & Mantillas, C. C. (2024). A comprehensive analysis of the implementation of government procurement law in Metro Manila: Basis for good governance among local government units. Social Sciences and Development Review.

Manyathi, S., Burger, A. P. J., & Mortimer, N. L. (2021). Public sector procurement: A private sector procurement perspective for improved service delivery. Africa’s Public Service Delivery and Performance Review, 9(1), Article 521.

Mathiba, G. (2020). Corruption, public sector procurement and COVID-19 in South Africa: Negotiating the new normal [Unpublished thesis].

Mbonigaba, C. (2020). Challenges and solutions in procurement processes for local government contracts in Rwanda. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Modern Education, 6(2), 63–70.

Mehmood, T. (2021). Does information technology competencies and fleet management practices lead to effective service delivery? Empirical evidence from e-commerce industry. International Journal of Technology, Innovation and Management, 1(2).

Mgawe, N. W. (2023). Assessment of effectiveness of procurement planning on procurement performance of public organizations in Tanzania: A study of Babati District Council. SSRN.

Mujwiga, S. S. (2020). Assessment of the role of procurement in achieving better customer service. Institute of Accountancy Arusha Repository.

Navarro, A. M. (2023). The need for a national land use act in the Philippines (PIDS Discussion Paper Series No. 2023-40). Philippine Institute for Development Studies.

Navarro, A. M., & Tan, J. A. O. (2020). The promises and pains in procurement reforms in the Philippines (PIDS Discussion Paper Series No. 2017-16). Philippine Institute for Development Studies.

Nduhura, A., Nuwagaba, I., Molokwane, T., & Tshombe, L. M. (2021). Procurement planning and procurement performance for operations and projects in public sector entities: A case of Uganda Management Institute. International Journal of Supply Chain Management, 10(6), 11–22.

Nisnisan, C. A., & Salapa, A. C. (2024). Philippine public procurement challenges—Local government context: A review. TWIST, 19(2), 443–450.

Noor, M. A. (2021). Investigating the role of procurement practices in effective implementation of infrastructure projects in a developing country: A case of Pakistan [Unpublished master’s thesis]. RMIT University.

Ocampo, L. (2020). Public service quality evaluation with SERVQUAL and AHP-TOPSIS: A case of Philippine government agencies. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 68, Article 100604.

Ochoa, E. T. (2023). Technology roadmap for the transformation of procurement management of the National Economic and Development Authority [Master’s thesis, University of the Philippines].

Oluka, P. N., Okoche, M., & Mugurusi, G. (2021). Public procurement and competitiveness of women-owned businesses: A structural equation model (SEM) for gender-responsive procurement in Uganda. World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 17(2), 209–226.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2020). Public procurement toolbox: Effective and efficient public procurement. OECD Publishing.

Osborne, D., & Gaebler, T. (1992). Reinventing government: How the entrepreneurial spirit is transforming the public sector. Addison-Wesley.

Panga, F., & Mahuwi, L. T. (2020). Procurement best practices and performance of public institutions in Tanzania: Experience from higher learning institutions [Unpublished thesis].

Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development. (2024). Policy brief: Procurement practices and policies in the Philippines and the implications to public research and development. DOST PCAARRD.

Philippine Institute for Development Studies. (2020). Planning gaps in the government procurement system and their effects on budget disbursement. PIDS Policy Notes.

Philippine Statistics Authority. (2020). Region V (Bicol Region): Total population by province, city, municipality, and barangay.

Philippine Statistics Authority. (2025). 2024 Census of population (POPCEN) population counts declared official by the President.

Procurify. (2025). Purchasing problems and solutions: 10 common challenges. Procurify.

Ramos, K. A. M. (2024). Procure-to-pay (P2P) optimization and organizational efficiency of the selected private companies in Cabuyao, Laguna. International Journal of Multidisciplinary and Current Educational Research, 6(3), 607–637.

ResPicio. (2025). Agrarian land dispute under the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the Philippines: A comprehensive overview.

Rey, P. S. (2024). The systematic procurement planning guide of state universities and colleges: Knowledge, practice, and challenges. APCORE Online Journal of Proceedings, 4, 373.

Riak, G. A., & Bill, D. B. A. (2022). Public procurement, employee competence and strategic implementation on service delivery. Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities Researches, 7(2), 87–113.

Santos, J. (2022). New DAR building to rise in Masbate. Manila Bulletin.

Talatagod, F. D., Gumapac, S. A., Samarca, K. T., & Pardillo, J. S. (2022). Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and socio-economic conditions of its beneficiaries in Region X and XI in Mindanao, Philippines. International Journal of Academic Research and Reflection, 10(4), 15–28.

Taylor, A. E. (2022). Procurement fraud prevention strategies in Ghanaian gold mining companies [Doctoral dissertation, Walden University]. Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies, 13820.

Thai, K. V. (2001). Public procurement re-examined. Journal of Public Procurement, 1(1), 9–50.

Ungureanu, C., & Enachi, D. (2022). Analytical note on the planning of public procurement contracts. PTFund.

Veridion. (2024). 7 biggest challenges of global procurement. Veridion.

Wilson, A. A. (2022). Successful inventory management strategies in the office supply businesses [Doctoral dissertation, Walden University]. Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies.

Downloads

Published

2026-04-26

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Ybañez, M. J. (2026). Status of Procurement Planning, Issues and Challenges, and Proposed Interventions: Basis for Effective Service Delivery at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Masbate Province. International Journal of Sustainability and Advanced Integrated Research, 2(2), 1110-1120. https://doi.org/10.65339/ijsair.V2.I2.299