The Department of Public Works and Highways-Southern Mindoro District Engineering Office (DPWH-SMDEO) has justified the procurement of five high-performance laptops worth ₱930,000, saying the purchase strictly followed the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184) and all relevant guidelines.
In a statement, the office explained that the laptops were bought based on the technical standards set by the DPWH-Information Management Service (IMS), which evaluates emerging technologies needed for agency operations. The IMS also issues specifications for government ICT equipment.
Three of the laptops, according to SMDEO, are running advanced applications such as Computer-Aided Design (CAD), AutoCAD, and Civil 3D—tools essential for planning and designing infrastructure projects. The remaining two units are for general office functions.
Officials stressed that the procurement covered not just the hardware but also genuine licensed software, including Microsoft Office CSP and Windows 11 Pro.
“Home and single language licenses are not permissible for enterprise or government use, as they do not meet the security and compliance standards set for public institutions,” the statement read.
The agency also underscored that using pirated software is not an option in public service, as it violates the Intellectual Property Code (RA 8293) and the Cybercrime Prevention Act (RA 10175).
The laptops, purchased in 2024, are now in active use under the Planning and Design Section. SMDEO said high-specification computers are necessary to ensure accurate, efficient, and reliable project outputs.
The clarification came after a social media post alleged that the devices were overpriced compared to regular laptops in the market. In response, SMDEO reiterated its commitment to “responsible fiscal management and transparent governance.”
