There
is an imminent revamp in the composition of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC)
of the provincial government.
This
was the categorical statement issued by Provincial Attorney Handel Lagunay, who
is also BAC chair, in an interview with the Chronicle.
REFURBISHED
CULTURAL CENTER. The newly-refurbished Bohol Cultural Center where the controversial
air-conditioning system will be installed in time for the month-long Bohol Sandugo
festivities and Bohol Day celebration where President Gloria Arroyo will be coming
together with businessmen and investors for an Economic Summit and Investment
Forum.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | This
developed after top provincial government officials uncovered an attempt to overprice
the acquisition of a P3.7 million brand new air-conditioning system for the newly
refurbished Bohol Cultural Center last week.
According
to Lagunay, results of their investigations will be released within this week
which will determine the ones responsible for the alleged negotiated purchase
deal between some Capitol officials and a city-based air-conditioning system supplier.
It
may be recalled that Gov. Erico Aumentado ordered Lagunay to check the reported
overprice amid reports that some Capitol officials were assured to receive "cash
considerations" in the air-con deal.A ranking Capitol official told the Chronicle
that there is a definite |
overhaul
in the BAC which will start at the secretariat. The official said that the ones
responsible for information dissemination and those who give out bid documents
are critical in the said revamp.Lagunay,
however, clarified that the revamp will depend on their findings.
"The
investigation is being done to maintain transparency in the transaction of the
BAC and improve efficiency in the delivery of services," Lagunay added.
The
provincial government expects to save around P500,000 from the procurement of
18 air-conditioning units through "limited source" instead of earlier
plans to hold an open public bidding, according to Lagunay.
The
air-conditioning units should be installed at the Bohol Cultural Center in time
for the month-long Sandugo festivities and Bohol Day celebration where Pres. Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo will be coming together with businessmen and investors for the
Economic Summit here.
However,
some Capitol officials expressed their doubts if the aircon installation could
meet the July 22 deadline.
Lagunay
bared that the BAC will meet tomorrow to evaluate the three Manila-based companies
who will supply the aircon units.
Meanwhile,
the labor-installation component of the project had been awarded to a local contractor
after a bidding has been made last Friday for said component.
The
electrical works will be undertaken by the provincial government instead of private
contractors.
NO
ATTEMPT TO OVERPRICE
In
a separate interview with the Chronicle, General Services Office (GSO) chief Engr.
Edwin Vallejos denied reports that there was an intention to overprice the budget
for the air-conditioning procurement.
He,
however, admitted that Engr. Prex Tumabang, owner of Sammy's Air-conditioning
and Refrigeration shop and one of the prospective bidders, was consulted in the
process of formulating the budget for the procurement.
According
to Vallejos, they have to engage the help of experts in the field of air-conditioning
since they do not have technical people for said undertaking.
Vallejos
said they obtained the project cost of P3.7 million from price quotations they
obtained from suppliers and through the Internet. | 
