P9.3M for city's feeding program

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Government has allocated P9.3 million for the city’s feeding program that would benefit 8,000 children in 154 day care centers.

Among the items in the budget is the purchase of 367,500 large size eggs at P8 each.

But a check with some of the poultry farms in Metro Cebu revealed that prices for large eggs are only between P4.80 to P5.

An employee of a poultry farm in Mandaue City also revealed they cannot supply thousands of eggs because they don’t have enough stocks.

A visit at the Carbon Market yesterday also revealed that vendors sell large eggs at P6 pesos.

The feeding program for the preschoolers is implemented by the Cebu City Nutrition Council headed by Ronald “Raddy” Diola.

Diola explained that the 8,000 preschoolers will be given food after their classes everyday.

He also explained that the P8 for an egg as stated in the purchase request was just an estimate but the actual price could be lower because the purchase will be subjected to bidding.

Diola said it is not surprising that government purchases is more expensive because aside from the fact that it would take long for the government to settle its obligation, it will also deduct 12 percent for the Expanded Value Added Tax and other fees from the suppliers.

The documents gathered by The Freeman showed that there were four firms that participated in the bidding.

Diola said the lowest bidder is the “Ai Kalami,” reportedly a Cebu City-based supplier.

Ai Kalami’s bid is P8.006 million for the meat, eggs, vegetables and other supplies needed for the program.

The three other bidders areVirgilio and Elsa General Merchandise (P8,175,140), Cebu D & F Enterprises (P8,215,781) and Crismark (P8,632,477).

The bid documents are still being reviewed by Marie Velle Abella, a member of the City Legal Office who sits as member of the Bids and Awards Committee.     - THE FREEMAN