As Bidding 'Irregularity' Found: Ombuds, Capitol to conduct probe

CEBU, Philippines - The office of the Ombudsman-Visayas will conduct a fact-finding investigation into reports of alleged irregularities in the manufacture of P17-million worth of armchairs and teachers tables that were distributed to the different towns in Cebu province.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol yesterday informed The Freeman through text message about the action of his office.

He said they will conduct an investigation into the matter based on the newspaper report that cited the parents and teachers’ complaint on the alleged substandard school facilities.

Apostol even asked The FREEMAN for its cooperation in looking into the alleged irregularities.

For his part, Board Member Juan Bolo, chairman of the Provincial Board committee on education, said they will also investigate the matter considering that it will affect the image of the provincial government.

“Kinahanglan atong imbistigahon ni. Si Board Member (Victor) Maambong nakig-istorya na nako regarding this matter human migawas kini sa media,” Bolo said.

While Apostol assured investigation into the P17-million transaction of the Department of Education-Cebu province, another transaction of the agency suspected of being tainted with irregularity, this time amounting to P14-million, was discovered by The FREEMAN.

The Bids and Awards Committee of the DepEd-Cebu province conducted an evaluation of the eligibility documents of the bidders last March 23, 2009. The P14-million allocation was for the purchase of armchairs and teachers tables for the schools in the province.

But the BAC disqualified the joint venture between JEC Lumber Corporation and Ramagal Doors and Sash Manufacturing, saying they should have submitted a “similar single contract” requirement as provided under Section 13.2 of the Bids Documents.

It was BAC’s position that Ramagal Doors and Sash Manufacturing should also comply with the requirements.

The BAC cited that the law very clearly and unambiguously supportive of its decision to declare JEC Lumber and Ramagal ineligible to participate in the bidding for the reason that one of the members of the joint venture failed to submit one of the eligibility documents required.

But Felicitas Guanzon and Chona Galang, both representatives of JEC Lumber and Ramagal, claimed that there is no provision in the bidding documents or its implementing rules and regulations that specifically require all partners/members of a joint venture bidding in a government project to individually submit or comply with the “single similar contract” requirements.

The bidding of another P14-million for students’ armchairs and teachers’ tables will also be included in the investigation by the Provincial Board.

It was learned that the contractor of the previous P17-million armchairs and teachers tables, Gala Industries, Inc., also participated in the bidding of the P14-million project. It was not clear however if the project has been awarded to them or not.

Bolo said he will be inviting the Cebu provincial superintendent, the members of BAC, the winning contractor and the other contractors of the project.

During the public monitoring survey, several parents and teachers complained that the items delivered to their schools late last year and early this year are allegedly defective and substandard as they do not follow the specifications.

The Freeman learned that these deliveries are part of the P17-million “2007 desks armchair” project of the DepEd-Cebu.

But Bolo clarified that the project is that of the national government and the province has nothing to do with it. Nevertheless, he said he wants an investigation to be conducted.

“Wa gyud ta’y labot ani kay ilaha manang kwarta and besides ang probinsya plastic man ang gigamit natong mga lingkoranan dili man kahoy,” Bolo said.

Bolo, an educator by profession, said that he will conduct an ocular inspection in the schools.

The DepEd awarded the project to Gala Industries, Inc. represented by Sarah Galang, which reportedly the third lowest bidder for the project.

The bidding of the school armchairs and desks was conducted on July 21, 2008 with one armchair costing P780; P2,000 for each set of elementary table and chairs and P4,600 for a set of teacher’s table and chair.

It was learned that the lowest bidder of the project was JEC Lumber Corporation followed by Ramagal Door and Sash Manufacturing.

JEC Lumber Corporation submitted a bid amounting to P17.228 million, Ramagal submitted a bid of P17.350 million while Gala Industries Inc. submitted a bid of P17,760,750.

However, BAC disqualified JEC and Ramagal for their alleged poor performance in previous projects.

BAC members also said the two disqualified bidders allegedly submitted defective papers and false information, which became the basis of their qualification.

In an interview with one of the partners of the JEC Lumber Corporation, who refused not to be named this time, he said they were happy that the PB has decided to investigate the alleged irregularities.

“Sa sinugdanan pa sa bidding, naa na sila’y gipaboran. Dili unta sila magpabor-pabor,” he said.

“Karon mi-deliver tuod sila pero daghan og kuwang, wala masunod ang specifications unya sila pa’y masuko namo nganong among gipahibalo nga defective ang supplies nga gi-deliver,” the informant said, adding they are willing to provide all evidence to substantiate their claims. – /WAB (THE FREEMAN)