Tom includes mediamen as observers in biddings

Media practitioners are now included among observers in all meetings of the Bids and Awards Committee, according to an executive order Mayor Tomas Osmeña recently issued.

Osmeña said BAC meetings must be open to observers from the members of the city council, the civil society, and the media to make the entire proceedings transparent, and increase the efficiency in procurement.

City Hall information officer Nigel Bañacia said the inclusion of the members of the media among the observers was meant to ensure transparency and avoid suspicion of "commission" pay off in government procurement.

The mayor issued the order after he reconstituted the membership of the BAC, its secretariat, and its technical working group and the secretariat to expedite the procurement process by putting in people "with utmost capability, integrity, and dedication."

City treasurer Evangeline Abatayo now heads the BAC, assistant city administrator Veronica Morelos chairs the secretariat, and general services chief Ester Cubero leads the technical working group. - Mitchelle P. Calipayan