Change is coming…even in gov’t’s way of awarding contracts

PRESIDENT Duterte on Tuesday said the lowest bidder in government projects would not necessarily get the contract.

Speaking to soldiers at the Armed Forces (AFP) Medical Center in Quezon City, Duterte said favoring the lowest bidder could be a “source of corruption.”

“Di ako naniniwala sa lowest bid kasi kung lowest bid, barat lahat ng equipment ko. Pinaalam ko na sa COA,  di ako susunod diyan because lowest bid is source of corruption,” he said.

“I will talk to COA, it has to be quality,” he added.

The President assured a “clean government,” adding that there will be no rigging of the bidding of government projects in his administration.

AFP modernization

In his impromptu speech, Duterte vowed to provide state-of-the-art facilities to the AFP medical center for state forces.

“You put your life at stake or danger but you have minimum equipment,” he said.

Duterte said the government would soon release 500 million for the new facilities and to build a new hospital for the AFP.

“I’ll give you new building para sa ating mga kasama,” he said.

“Basta ang binigay ni Secretary Diokno sa inyo half a billion and it will be released soon,” he added.

Free education and pension

Duterte vowed to provide free education for the children of military personnel.

“One of the things you’ll have in the fullness of God’s time is yung program ng anak niyo. Libre na ang education. Yan ang pangako ko at gagawin ko,” he said.

The President also vowed to create an office dedicated to process the pension of military personnel.

“Gusto ko mag-create ang Armed Forces ng opisina just to make yung pension benefits… tatapusin na nila at sila na mag-prepare ng lahat,” he said.

Duterte vowed to provide what the AFP needed.

“I’ll (give) whatever it is to make your job comfortable,” he said.

“I will serve you and I will not abandon you,” he added.