Private rep needed to observe biddings

MORE transparency is needed in the  Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) in Cebu City through the presence of private sector observers.
“We should put things in proper order,” Vice Mayor Edgar Labella said in Wednesday’s council session after a sportswear supplier’s  complaint was discussed.

Arlene Ponce of Angel’s Sportswear alleged that BAC members failed to  circulate the   schedule for a pre-bid conference made on October 2013 although she eventually won the bidding.

BAC members headed by goods and services chairperson Ester Concha appeared during the council session to clarify the case.

Asked if they  invited observers during the opening of bid documents, Concha said they invite representatives of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Commission on Audit (COA).

“We always invite them but I just don’t know if they are able to send representation,” she added.

“You should know because you are there (in the biddings),” Councilor Margot Osmeña replied.

Councilor Nida Cabrera said that inviting CCCI members as observers may not be proper because they are the ones who are in the business of supplying goods and services to the city.

The Government Procurement Act requires observers from nongovernment organizations and the private sector to enhance transparency, said Councilor Alvin Dizon.

“This will clear doubts on the integrity of the BAC,” Andales added. He said that  even members of the Cebu media should be invited to observe the conduct of biddings.
Carillo required BAC to give a monthly report of their activities to the council .

Cabrera asked for a list of all accredited BAC observers for the council’s review.

Councilor Carillo said that “relaxed” compliance of bidding procedures provided for in RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Act should not be tolerated.

Ponce, the complainant,  said she kept sending a representative to City Hall to monitor BAC schedules and make sure that they are able to join and place their bid on the city’s purchase of sports uniforms worth P1.7 million.

“Every time my representative would ask for a schedule, she was told that they still do not know,” Ponce told the council.

While she eventually won the bidding for  sportswear used during the city’s sports feast last December 2013, she  went ahead and filed a complaint against the city’s BAC members.

“If Angel’s won the bidding, why are they complaining? There should be a valid reason for that,” said Councilor Sisinio Andales.

“Even I was confused,” replied Concha, who also head sthe he city’s Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS).

Concha was accompanied by other BAC members including its vice chairperson and secretary to mayor Belinda Navasquez.

“That (lack of proper dissemination) has to be rectified in the next transaction,” Labella told Concha.

Concha told the Council that they adopt government procurement procedures in the conduct of their biddings.  A checklist of requirements is sent to interested suppliers.

She said that pre-bid schedules are also published through the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (Philgeps).

“The fact that Angels Sportswear won the bidding means that they have been notified,” she said.