Goods, equipment for El Niño soon to arrive

CEBU, Philippines — The goods and equipment intended for the weak El Niño response are expected to arrive this week or next week, according to the Capitol’s General Services Office (GSO).

GSO head Jone Siegfred Sepe said since April 10, three different offices had requested for the purchase of goods and equipment all worth P23 million.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) requested for the purchase of P2.5 million worth of stainless water tanks and water pumps while the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) also requested for the purchase of plastic drums, polyethylene pipes or hoses, water tanks and water pumps all amounting to more than P9 million.

Sepe said the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office also ordered rice worth P6.4 million and relief goods (i.e. canned goods and noodles) worth P3.6 million.

He added that the Capitol is also buying premium rice worth P1.5 million.

Since the Bids and Awards Committee has already issued purchase order of the rice, relief goods and premium rice, delivery of these may start this week.

He said the requests from PDRRMO and OPAg that were just relayed recently are still for canvassing.

Sepe explained that once BAC releases the purchase order, purchased goods and other materials can already be delivered; the procurement and release of funds, particularly for the goods to be used as El Niño response, deviates from the standard bidding process.

He said the chosen suppliers are notified that they have to deliver them immediately because there is a “sense of urgency” of the use of these goods especially to those sectors affected greatly by the adverse effects of the weak El Niño.

Sepe said if not this week, these goods and equipment may be delivered next week.

Last March 25, the provincial government placed Cebu under state of calamity due to the crippling effects that the weak El Niño on agricultural products, livestock, fisheries, and water supply.

Farmers and fishers are losing their livelihood because of the damage that the phenomenon has caused such as water scarcity, dried plantations, and fish kills, among others. (FREEMAN)