BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – The provincial government has pushed through with its plan to purchase 12 cars worth P21 million for its 12-member provincial board despite a public clamor to instead use the amount for more pressing needs.
A board member confirmed that the issuance of bidding documents for prospective suppliers of the vehicles has been going on since Feb. 17 with the pre-bid conference held the other day.
Local folk have been criticizing the provincial government for the procurement of brand new cars for the board members considering the more pressing needs of the province.
“This only shows the present local administration’s insensitivity to the more pressing needs of the ordinary Novo Vizcayanos, especially those in the indigent sector,†said Norma Navoa, a former labor leader in Solano town.
According to sources, board member Efren Quiben, one of the ordinance’s prime movers, prefers a Toyota Fortuner as service vehicle, along with colleagues Nestor Sevillena, Johnny Liban, Percival Marcos, Filma Dulay-Perez and Dolores Binwag.
On the other hand, board members Pepito Balgos, Donior Tidang, Flodemonte Gerdan and Rex Iritan are picking a Nissan Navarra, while colleagues Santiago Dickson and Merlie Talingdan are opting for a Mitsubishi Montero and Isuzu D-Max, respectively.
According to information obtained by The STAR, the opening of bids for winning suppliers is scheduled on March 18. Provincial budget officer Alejandra Dacumos heads the bids and awards committee.
The budget for the brand new vehicles is part of the P25.1-million appropriation ordinance which the provincial board led by Vice Gov. Epifanio Galima passed in August last year, with the approval of Gov. Ruth Padilla.
Apart from the vehicles, the approved amount also covers the procurement of 14 laptops with printers, 14 pocket Wi-Fi, 14 cell phones, 14 tablets and 14 cameras for each of the board members, including the vice governor’s office.
Also included in the P21.5-million budget was the purchase of 15 swivel chairs, brand new curtains, a microwave oven, a coffee maker, and a hot and cold water dispenser.