Chamber asks NFA to check rice deal

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed concerns regarding the new eligibility requirements for the 2010 Integrated Cargo Handling Services for National Food Authority in Cebu and Bohol.

This after one of their members accused the NFA of unduly favoring an unqualified bidder.

CCCI president Samuel Chioson, in his letter to NFA regional director Danilo Bonabon, requested that the inquiries made by San Fernando integrated Services and Equipment (SAFISCOR) be given due and immediate attention.

“We also enjoined NFA to uphold the provisions of R.A. 9184 that promote fair, transparent and competitive bidding,” Chioson said.

The CCCI is bringing to the attention the concern of SAFISCOR being one of their members with regards to the new eligibility requirements of the said ICHS.

Last October 28, 2009, NFA nullified the result of the pre-bidding for the ICHS for the importing of 235,000 metric tons of imported rice.

ICHS involves the unloading of imported rice from foreign vessels to NFA designated warehouses in metro Cebu and also includes wharfage, stevedoring, arrastre, use of tugboat, crane, strip cleaning trimming, bagging, rebagging, hauling, weighing, and handling, etc.

Documents show that NFA-7 assistant regional director Raul Chong, who is the chairman of the Regional Bids and Awards Committee, nullified the said order and scheduled another pre-bidding on November 11 and on November 30, the submission and opening of bids.

Under Republic Act 9134 otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act, the bidders must at least have three years in experience in cargo handling and unloading.

However, there are reports that in order to accommodate a Manila-based cargo handling company, the Avega Bros., NFA reportedly revised the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the said law by requiring that bidders must have at least three years experience in “grains” cargo handling and unloading.

The insertion of the word “grains” means no cargo handling company in Cebu can qualify and left Avega Bros. won in every bidding.

The FREEMAN tried to get the side of Bonabon on this issue but he said he will just wait the report of Chong on this matter. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP   (FREEMAN NEWS)