The Cebu provincial government wants to get the approval for the purchase of medical, dental, and laboratory equipment worth P3.2 million.
Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy presented during last Monday’s session of the Provincial Board a resolution authorizing Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale to execute and sign for and in behalf of the province a contract with three suppliers for the delivery of the equipment.
But action on Sitoy’s resolution was deferred pending queries on whether the purchase of equipment would be a prohibited act during the election period.
The election rules prohibit the “construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works, and issuance of treasury warrants or similar devices for a future undertaking chargeable against public funds” starting March 29, 2013.
Cebu provincial elections officer Ferdinand Guijilde, in an interview, explained that the particular election ban won’t apply if the project was bid out before March 29.
Sitoy, sponsor of the resolution, intended for the delivery of the equipment, said the project was bid out before March 29.
legal opinion
However, the Provincial Board still deferred Sitoy’s resolution to give way to Provincial Attorney Marino Martinquilla to appear before the legislative body and explain whether or not it would be legally proper to deliver the equipment to the province.
Integrated Provincial Health Office chief, Dr. Cristina Giango, was also requested to appear during next week’s board session to give legislators an idea about the use of the equipment.
If approved by legislators, Sitoy’s resolution would give way for Magpale to execute and sign a contract on behalf of the province for the delivery of dental, medical, and laboratory equipment.
Three suppliers will deliver the equipment: NPK Medical Trading Inc., Blue Sky Trading Corp. Inc., and Sanjo Medipharma Phils.
The items from NBP Medical Trading Inc. has a contract price of P905,000 while those from Blue Sky Trading Corp. reach P1,641,460. The supplier from Sanjo Medipharma Phils, on the other hand, has a contratc price of P697,580./Reporter ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL