COA finds ‘splitting’ in Talisay purchases

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Audit has noted that "splitting" was used in the procurement of school equipment such as chairs, blackboards and tables in the Talisay City government due to the absence of an Annual Procurement Plan in violation of Republic Act 9184.

In the four-page audit observation memorandum issued by State Auditor Ma. Daisy Bercede, the COA cited that the Bids and Awards Committee secretariat fell short in the requirements of posting procurement information in the internet tool - the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System.

PhilGEPS is the central portal that hosts information on the procurement of goods and general support services, civil works or infrastructure projects and consulting services undertaken by procuring entities of the government.

Moreover, COA in its report, said purchase requisition and contracts for the procurement of armchairs, blackboards and tables and chairs in the amount of P2,195,000for school use was done in splitting in violation of Section 54.1 of R.A. 9184.

Section 54 of R.A. 9184 states splitting of government contracts is not allowed. Splitting of government contracts means the division or breaking up of goods and services for the purpose of evading the requirements of the law.

COA said that due to the absence of the Annual Procurement Plan, the City resorted to splitting as a primary mode of procurement.

The purchase order failed to indicate the specifications of the school furniture to be purchased, which price reasonableness could not be ascertained.

Records of COA also shows that on the month of March purchases P510,000; P420,000 for April; P730,000 for May and P535,000 for June.

"This clearly shows that there was an apparent splitting of purchase requisitions and contracts to avoid public bidding since the amount exceeded the P400,000 threshold applicable in the case at bar," the report read.

The COA also discovered deficiencies as purchases were not certified by the head of the Local School Board.

The request was signed by then mayor and now City Councilor Socrates Fernandez.

"We recommend that Management stop the practice of splitting purchase requisitions or contacts," Bercede said.

Furthermore, Bercede wants the city government to explain why the implementation of the program was done in installment bases.  (FREEMAN)