Sitoy against awarding of contract to winning bidder

Prior to a formal discussion, a Provincial Board (PB) member expressed his objection to authorize the governor to enter into a P254-million contract to buy heavy equipment.

In a privilege speech during yesterday’s regular session, PB Member Arleigh Sitoy raised concern over news reports on alleged “irregularities” in a contract to be awarded to Conequip.

“For the record, if the authority is to be expedited now, which is after the fact, or if ever fast tracked in the near future, I am manifesting in advance my objection to its approval,” he said.

Provincial Board Member Arliegh Sitoy expresses his objections to authorize Gov. Hilario Davide III to enter into a contract with the winning bidder for the purchase of heavy equipment. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)

The Capitol’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) recently announced that Conequip, a company that supplies China- and Singapore-made heavy equipment, bested two other bidders

Sitoy claimed that in gist, the media are saying that the contract awarded to the “highest” bidder was anomalous because the members of the BAC are not competent to judge the quality of equipment the province is supposed to buy.

“The law requires the recommendation of a mechanical engineer 4 under the civil service law,” he said.

PB Member Peter John Calderon asked him which law states this and under what provision.

Sitoy said it was under the government procurement reform law or R.A. 9184, but could not pinpoint which specific section or article.

He said the provincial government has yet to explain the “whys and wherefores” of the alleged “irregularity.”

Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino, BAC chairman, has explained that the two other bidders, RDAK and Civic Merchandising, did not meet specification requirements and, thus, were post-disqualified.

RDAK supplies Japan- and Korea-made equipment. Conequip is the supplier of the provincial government’s Suroy-Suroy Sugbo buses.

Sitoy, on the other hand, said that he foresees cases filed against public officials if authority is given to the governor to sign the contract.

The BAC last November 23 forwarded the bidding documents to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) ad-hoc committee, chaired by PB Member Grecilda Sanchez, for review.

“My concern though is not only the cases but the credibility of the institution which we are all morally and legally bound to protect,” said Sitoy.

PB Member Sanchez said the committee will still have to deliberate on the bidding documents.

“At present, I am still waiting for the minutes throughout the bidding process,” she said in a separate interview.

She said she was hopeful that the contract will be awarded within the year, considering how the members of the PB have been clamoring to purchase heavy equipment to be used in different towns.

“But as to who will supply, that has yet to be determined,” she added.

Governor Davide earlier said he was confident that the awarding of the contract will be smooth-sailing because the PB shares his sentiments that the equipment are necessary.