MMDA office furniture deal anomalous?

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has apparently paid for P2.4 million worth of furniture and fixtures that took more than a year to be delivered.

MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim awarded on July 1 a contract of P2,456,800 to Hope Interior and Space Planning Co. to supply furniture and fixtures for his office and that of general manager Jojo Garcia.

The notice of award was posted on the MMDA’s official website almost three months after the agency issued a bid bulletin on April 10.

“To serve people having transactions with the agency, with good ambiance and to be more presentable to visitors and clients as well, the General Administrative Service Division was assigned to purchase additional furniture for the Office of the Chairman and the Office of the General Manager,” the bid bulletin stated.

The document was prepared by Jose Arollado Jr., head of the MMDA’s bids and awards committee and technical working group, and approved by BAC chairman Assistant Secretary Jose Campo.

The bid bulletin stated that the procurement was done through bidding, “charged to savings from Annual Procurement Management Program of Supply and Material for CY 2019.” 

Among the items the MMDA purchased were two conference tables, a freestanding table and 76 chairs of different designs and sizes that will be placed in the offices of Lim and Garcia.

Lim said the MMDA earmarked the money and renovated his office and conference room “more than a year ago,” contrary to the dates of the documents posted on the MMDA’s website.

He said the procured materials were supposed to be delivered to his office and conference room, which leaked whenever it rained, as part of the renovation.

Lim was appointed MMDA chairman in May 2017.