Pasig LGU saved P1.2-B fund after reforms in procurement process

MANILA, Philippines — The local government of Pasig City was able to save P1.2-billion worth of funds due to the implemented reforms for its bidding process, City Mayor Vico Sotto said Friday.

“Mula July 2019, marami na tayong napagtagumpayang reporma sa ating LGU [local government unit]: Binuksan natin ang bidding para puwedeng manalo ang kahit sinong contractor na kwalipikado. Walang kickback kaya bumababa ang presyo,” Sotto wrote in a Facebook post.

(Starting July 2019, we implemented reforms in our locality: We opened bidding process for all qualified contractors. There’s no kickback so our prices decreased.)

“Dahil dito, nasa 1.2 B PISO na ang natipid ng pamahalaang panlungsod natin. (Kung maaalala natin, 1.2 B din ang Pasig Supplemental SAP [special amelioration program] na naging malaking tulong nung kasagsagan ng ECQ.),” the mayor added.

(Because of this P1.2 billion was saved. We can recall that P1.2 billion was allocated for our cash aid during the enhanced community quarantine in 2020.)

https://www.facebook.com/VicoSotto/photos/a.1280942245297784/3883440395047943/

Sotto made the announcement as the training for civil society organizations and non-government organizations is ongoing to create a “pool of capable” observers for city government’s procurement.

“Gusto natin maraming mata, pero dapat may teknikal na kapasidad (hindi yung nakiki tsismis lang),” the mayor said.

(We want more eyes for our bidding process, more people who have technical capacity not those who would look for gossip.)

In 2020, Sotto announced that the city saved P415 million due to its procurement process, which helped in funding relief packages during the Covid-19 pandemic. Of the number, 154.7 million were saved in 2019 while P260 million were savings in the first six months of last year.

JPV

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