For its transfer station: Jomara does not have ECC - Garganera

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera, who heads the City Council committee on environment, was "glad" after the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) has already declared a winning bidder to haul the city's trash.

He, however, divulged that records from the Environmental Management Bureau-7 showed there was no existing transfer station that was issued an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

He said only Jomara Konstruckt Corporation’s Material Recovery Facility near the controversial landfill in Inayawan has been issued an ECC, not the EVO Enviro Solutions, which is its transfer station.

"Probably those who are interested then kinahanglan mag strikto na gyud sila," Garganera said.

At present, the city is paying Jomara P1,375 for every ton of garbage.  In the bidding, they offered P1350 for every ton of trash, while Pasajero Motors Corporation (PMC) offered P1344.

Although PMC was the lowest bidder, the company, however, got disqualified in the bidding after it failed to secure an ECC for its transfer station.

He also said the city could have saved more if the executive department was able to conduct the public bidding earlier, so that, which is currently doing the work, would not have an extension with their service to the city.

"My concern sa una is na-extend ang emergency contract kay ang Jomara Konstruckt is up to January ra.   Ang akoa lang, ang atong mayor was very concerned about the lowest bid which is ang gap ra is P6, unya samtang nagdagan ang adlaw, we're paying P1375 na rate. In fact, they were entertaining the idea of rebidding, (which) would take another 45 days.  Nya unsa man ni?" he said.

Earlier, the BAC’s Technical Working Group first evaluated the documents PMC submitted for being the lowest bidder offering P1,344 per ton of garbage, compared to Jomara's offer of P 1,350.

But PMC was disqualified for failing to get an ECC from Department of Environment and Natural Resources for their transfer station.

Jomara’s contract with the city had ended last January, but this was extended for three months because the city did not yet declare a winning bidder to haul the city's trash.

In a separate interview, Department of Public Services Assistant Head John Paul Gelasque said the city has allotted P78 million for the three-month extension period with Jomara.

Last Wednesday, BAC declared Jomara as the winning bidder after they have qualified in the post qualification process.

BAC head Ronaldo Malacora said Jomara is expected to sign the purchase order as well as the term of reference tomorrow. (FREEMAN)