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Deadline for the submission of expression of interest for the project preparation and transaction advisory services for the cross-border electronic invoicing system project has been moved anew to February 9, 2026
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Interested consultants must register with the Asian Development Bank Consultant Management System
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The CEI system project aims to establish a single electronic invoicing platform to be controlled by the Philippine government to effectively monitor international trade transactions of all imported goods
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The system aims to prevent smuggling, misdeclaration, and undervaluation by ensuring that all imported goods are invoiced transparently and that payment of taxes and duties are consistent with import declarations
Consultants interested in providing project preparation and transaction advisory services for the cross-border electronic invoicing (CEI) system project will have more time to submit their expressions of interest following the extension of the deadline to February 9, 2026.
The extension was announced in a bid bulletin dated January 26 by the Public-Private Partnership Center (PPPC) Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC). This was the second time the deadline was extended from the original date of January 12.
Interested consultants must register with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Consultant Management System and provide the required information through its Consulting Services Recruitment Notice for the project.
The PPPC SBAC will then draw up the shortlist of consultants, who will be invited to submit proposals.
READ: Consultants for e-invoicing project have until Jan 26 to register interest
The Department of Finance (DOF) applied for and was granted Project Development and Monitoring Facility (PDMF) support last year for the provision of project preparation and transaction advisory services for the CEI system project.
In 2024, the ADB and the Philippine government signed a loan agreement to infuse additional funding for the PDMF, a revolving fund to help government agencies prepare bankable PPP projects by funding transaction advisors and consultants for studies, procurement, and support services, ensuring well-structured, attractive infrastructure projects for private investment.
The CEI system project aims to establish a single electronic invoicing platform to be controlled by the Philippine government to effectively monitor international trade transactions of all imported goods.
The system aims to prevent smuggling, misdeclaration, and undervaluation by ensuring that all imported goods are invoiced transparently and that payment of taxes and duties are consistent with import declarations.
According to the project’s terms of reference, the DOF in 2017 noted a discrepancy of P1.8 trillion on volume of goods reported by exporters versus actual volume of goods imported by the Philippines.
The discrepancy rose from 25.1% in 2017 to 26.8% in 2018. The discrepancy is attributed to gross misdeclaration or undervaluation of goods through the use of fake documents.
According to DOF, in 2017 alone the trade data discrepancy translates to foregone revenues estimated at around P231 billion, which represents 2% of the country’s gross domestic product.
The winning consultant will determine the preliminary economic and financial viability of the CEI system; determine viability as a PPP; and prepare bid/tender documents, provide advisory and transaction support to the DOF, and ensure effective bid process and contract execution until the financial close of the project if it is to be pursued through PPP.
The expected outcome of the consultancy is to determine the most appropriate or optimal PPP arrangement considering the concerns of all stakeholders, as well as pertinent rules and regulations.
