 HERRERA | | The
committee tasked by Gov. Erico Aumentado to review the controversial bidding of
P168-million worth of heavy equipment has convened yesterday to initially start
investigation on the alleged rigging of the procurement process.
Vice
Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera met with members of the committee yesterday morning
in a closed-door conference at the Capitol.
The
team, composed of Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo Jr., Integrated Bar of
the Philippines - Bohol President Atty. John Mitchell Boiser and Internal Audit
Service chief Jerome Maniwang, initial called on the chairman of the Bids and
Awards Committee (BAC) Engr. Rosalinda Yu. |
In
an interview with the Chronicle, Herrera said he asked for documents pertaining
to the equipment bidding and a statement of facts from the BAC and its technical
working group.
The
vice governor also requested records of the bid proceedings and a step-by-step
assessment starting from the advertisement of the Invitation to Apply for Eligibility
and to Bid (IAEB) up to the post-qualification stage.
| | | "We
want to know if the rules were followed or whether there is a basis for the protest
of a disqualified supplier," Herrera said.
The
provincial government will purchase a brand new fleet of heavy equipment that
includes 2 units of backhoe/hydraulic excavators with breakers; 2 units of bulldozers
with ripper; 2 units of payloaders; 10 units of 6-wheeler dump trucks; 4 units
motor road grader; 4 units of road roller/vibratory compactor; 1 unit 6-wheeler
water truck with pump; and a 6-wheeler fuel tanker with pump. |
The acquisition,
considered the biggest single purchase of equipment by the provincial government,
has an overall approved budget contract (ABC) of P168,296,000.
A
Japanese heavy equipment dealer questioned the bid process which allegedly "gave
undue advantage to preferred suppliers".
Atty.
Salvador Grupo, counsel of Japanese firm Kowa Tsusho Ltd., said his client did
not beat the deadline for the submission of bids as the BAC "conducted the
bidding process with haste contrary to the Implementing Rules and Regulations
(IRR) of RA 9184, the Government Procurement Act".
The
committee led by Herrera was requested by the governor to complete its review
on March 16 as the heavy equipment will be used in repairing provincial roads
during the summer season.
The
vice governor assured that the review will not delay further the equipment purchase.
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