8 CH projects breach gov’t procurement law

CEBU, Philippines - At least eight infrastructure projects amounting to P73.9 million in Cebu City had been found by the Commission on Audit to have violated the procurement law because of the delay in the issuance of the notices to proceed.

In its audit observation memorandum dated June 20, COA said these projects violated the Republic Act No. 9184 also known as the Government Procurement Reform Act.

"Eight projects totaling P73,958,179.55 had incurred delays in the issuance of the Notice to Proceed ranging from 4 to 10 days from approval of the contract," the audit observation memorandum reads.

The memorandum was signed by State Auditor Maria Daisy Bercede and COA Supervising Auditor Cymbeline Celia Chiong-Uy. It was addressed to acting mayor Margarita Osmeña, acting city engineer Josefa Ylanan, and former city accountant Mark Rossel Salomon.

COA also found out that the actual receipt of completed projects with notice to proceed by the winning bidder showed delays from 13 to 69 days from the date of its issuance.

COA said the bidder has violated Section 37.4.1 of Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA. No. 9184 which states that: "The procuring entity shall issue Notice to Proceed (NTP) together with a copy of the approved contract to the successful bidder within three calendar days from the date of the approval of the contract by the appropriate government approving authority."

This provision also requires maximum period of two days for infrastructure projects with an approved budget contract of P50 million and below.

COA said the city's P73.9 million worth of infrastructure projects should be issued with notice to proceed within three calendar days and not four to 10 nor 13 to 69 days.

Ylanan said she cannot give further comment on it because she is looking for the reason of the delay of the issuance of NTP.

These projects include road concreting with drainage and construction of 3-story building command center in Barangay Tinago; road concreting with drainage in Barangays Tagbao and Taptap; road concreting in Sudlon 2; multi-purpose hall in Barangay Adlaon; sports complex in Barangay Bulacao; construction of concrete pavement with drainage system  in Barangay Sudlon 2; and construction of riprap and grouted riprap for seawall in Cogon Pardo. — (FREEMAN)