New bidding possible after Black Pearl is disqualified
Capitol File Photo
THE Cebu provincial government disqualified Black Pearl Security Agency from bidding for a large security services contract, leaving only two bidders and the possibility of conducting a new bidding altogether.
Gov. Hilario Davide III yesterday signed a resolution of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) disqualifying Black Pearl due to violations committed by its guards.
The two remaining agencies vying for the contract are Tactical Security Agency, whose services ended last May 30, and GDS Security and Detective Agency.
Davide gave the BAC until this week to recommend whether to post-qualify the other two bidders or declare a failure of bidding and restart the bidding process.
“I asked the BAC to give me options on what step to take after this,” Davide said.
In its resolution, the BAC headed by provincial legal officer Orvi Ortega questioned the BPSA’s capability to provide quality security services after three incidents involving security guards firing a shotgun, sleeping on duty and lacking a proper license.
The decision was made after the comittee “painstakingly deliberated” on it last Friday.
Governor Davide announced a day earlier on June 12 that he would let go of the temporary engagement with Black Pearl after learning that one of its security guards accidentally fired his gun, hitting a habal-habal driver near the province-owned property in barangay Apas that he was assigned to secure.
A reliever was sent but he had no security guard’s license.
Assistance
In the meantime, policemen from the Cebu Provincial Police Office ), alongside the Capitol Security Unit (CSU), will guard the Capitol and other facilities owned by the provincial government.
“The CPPO has been very accommodating with our request for assistance,” Davide said.
Chief Security Officer Loy Madrigal said he told the police force to prepare to be detailed for two months.
“Or it could be less, it could be as short as two weeks but it could also be that long,” he added.
Madrigal said the temporary personnel will have to work overtime, taking 12-hour shifts a day, seven days a week.
Outsourced
Some security guards from Tactical, the Capitol’s previous security provider, indicated their desire to resign from their agency and apply for positions as outsourced employees instead.
But Governor Davide said he believes that the process is complicated and will only inconvenience the parties involved.
“That’s their decision but then we’re not going to entertain that possibility,” he said.
Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac, Cebu provincial police chief, said while they are tasked to secure the Capitol, he hopes the province can pick its own security agency within the week.
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