Treñas denies 'under the table deal' over P14 M computerization program
Treñas
City Mayor Jerry Treñas strongly denied reports that there is "under the table" negotiation involving the P14 million computerization program of the city government which has a counterpart from the World Bank.
Treñas said it is not true that the city has already favored one supplier or service provider for the computerization program. The city Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) is complying with the rules and regulations according to Procurement Act, he said.
Speculations on the alleged controversy on the computerization project abound after Councilor Julienne Baronda raised suspicions on the deal between the city through Francis Cruz, the city's over-all head of the computerization program, and a supplier. Several groups reportedly also went to the City Hall to lobby for the acquisition of the multi-million project with a promise of good commission once they get it.
Treñas said it is not easy to deal with the World Bank as they are very stringent in the bidding and procurement procedures.
He cited that the members of the BAC have to go to Davao City and learn the bidding procedures sanctioned by the World Bank.
The procedures imposed by the World Bank is much stricter compared with the laws governing the government Procurement Act. One document alone which concerns the bidding needs to be photocopied 20 pieces, said Treñas.
The computerization program under the World Bank costs P14 million. The city's counterpart is P7 million, some P3.7 million of which have been allocated in the Supplemental Budget No.3 approved last week.
The computerization program will help improve the system of documenting and processing of data of different city government offices specifically the offices of the City Treasurer, City Accounting, City Assessors among others.