‘Capitol saves funds in open bidding’
The Iloilo Provincial Government is getting lower prices from suppliers with the straightforward bidding being conducted by the Bids and Awards Committee.
Provincial Legal Officer Dennis Ventilacion, BAC vice chairman, said many suppliers have started to join the bidding for various procurements of the provincial government since the reconstitution of the BAC under the administration of Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr.
Ventilacion said suppliers offer competitive prices to the advantage of the provincial government.
During the November 9 bidding for the purchase of 52,000 liters of diesel fuel, the province was able to save about P200,000.
Ventilacion said for the first time, two suppliers joined the bidding for such transaction, the Panay Petroleum Products Inc. with a bid price of P1.768 million and Delgado Shell Service Station, P1.814 million.
Previously, only Delgado Shell Service Station participated in the bidding for fuel and it usually offers as its bid price whatever is stated in the Approved Budget for Contract.
Ventilacion said the winning bidder Panay Petroleum Products Inc. offered a purchase price of P34 per liter, P4 lower than the prevailing pump price of P38 per liter.
In a recent purchase of office supplies and equipment, the provincial government was even able to save more than 40 percent.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, who chairs the BAC, said the opening of the bidding to the public has eliminated collusion among suppliers.
Banias said because of competitive bidding, the suppliers are also forced to offer competitive prices for their products or services.
The present Capitol administration does not tolerate grease money or gifts from suppliers, he added.*