Garcia splits BAC for faster bidding

CEBU, Philippines — Governor Gwen Garcia, in her first executive order of the new calendar year, is pushing for an expedited bidding process for a faster implementation of projects and programs.

Executive Order (EO) No. 1-2020, signed on January 16, divides the Bidding and Awards Committee (BAC) into two groups: one to handle infrastructure and the other one for goods and services.

The Bids and Awards Committee for Infrastructure will be led by Provincial Veterinarian Mary Rose Vincoy, while Provincial Treasurer Atty. Roy Salubre will be heading the Bids and Awards Committee for Goods and Services.

Garcia, during a meeting for the execution of the EO, emphasized that the committees must focus solely on their designations.

Aside from this, the EO also directed for the hiring of new BAC secretariats.

This is because six secretariats have been replaced due to “delays in the procurement and the stacking up of their workload.”

“I want a fresh start. I don’t want people who are already beholden to suppliers to contractors and other interests. You are expected to perform and execute your duties as professionals,” Garcia said.

With this, the six newly appointed secretariats were given a firm reminder by Garcia to have no contact with suppliers and contractors.

She added that they are only allowed to reach out to suppliers and contractors during the pre-bidding process.

In this leg of the bidding process, the terms of reference are laid down to suppliers and contractors and they are allowed to ask for clarifications.

Subo TV, the official news site of the Cebu Provincial Public Information Office (PIO), reported last Friday that this move was because the governor noticed a significant delay in the implementation of some priority projects with the previous system applied by the committee.

“Tungod sa kadaghan sa mga proyekto, palitonon ug mga bayranan nga ilang giatubang aron i-bidding ug dili kini nila ma-atu ang trabaho,” the report said.

Aside from this, the governor said she will not allow for the “purposeful delay” of procurement and bidding processes to give time for the compliance of some contractors and suppliers. (FREEMAN)