Full disclosure policy forum: Procurement law blamed for project delays, overpricing

TACLOBAN CITY ,Philippines  - Governors Carlos Jericho Petilla of Leyte and Damian Mercado of Southern Leyte said that people should blame Republic Act 9184, or the Government Procurement Act of 2003, for delays in project implementation and even perceived "overpricing" of purchases.

This law has made dealing with government difficult to the point where no more interested suppliers would bid for projects or purchases, oftentimes ending in "failure of bidding."

"The requirements for businesses to join are so many that others just don't want to deal with government," Petilla said

Petilla and Mercado made these observations during the Tapatan Forum on PNoy's Full Disclosure Policy held at the DepEd Convention Center here last Thursday, attended by DILG Undersecretary Austere Panadero who represented Secretary Jesse Robredo.

The governors' statement was in reply to an observation that government purchases or projects are more expensive than those procured directly from private dealers.

There was no overpricing, but the required taxes were most often added up to the price, said Petilla, adding that no private dealer would also want to deal with government due to the long period in processing of payments.

Citing Leyte LGU's purchases of six vehicles last year, Petilla said he thought the dealer had a good deal with the Capitol but it took the supplier almost a year to collect the payment.

Mercado seconded Petilla's observation, citing his similar experience.

Panadero responded by saying that he noted all these observations, suggestions and opinions of those who participated in the forum, consisting of mayors or their representatives from various towns of Eastern Visayas.