Delay seen in release of free bags for city's schoolchildren
Elementary school pupils may not be able to receive their free school bags from the city government in the opening of classes on June 10, 2008 as the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) has yet to bid the P3.8 million project.
City Mayor Jerry Treñas said the BAC has yet to initiate the bidding of the project.
He said they (BAC) are observing the proper procedures as mandated by the Procurement Act. The bidding needs publication in the national paper.
The city wants to speed up the purchase of the school bags but it has to pass the proper bidding procedures, said Treñas.
The P3.8 million alloted for the procurement of school bags would be taken from the Special Education Fund (SEF) of the Local School Board.
The free school bags are expected to benefit 40,000 elementary school pupils in the 52 public elementary schools in the city. Other than the school bags, the city will also distribute free school supplies.
An insider from the city hall said BAC set the bidding for the procurement of school bags on June 24, 2008 at the City Legal Officel. City Legal Officer Atty. Edgardo Gil heads the BAC. As of yesterday, no publication in the national paper was seen regarding the procurement of the school bags.
In the city's official website, the bidding for the project was not also included from among the list of projects. The E-procurement bidding only deals with the different infrastructure projects in the city that deals on the repair and rehabilitation of different barangay roads and other office supplies for the city.
Councilor Julienne Baronda, chair of the committee on education of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, said she wants the release of the free school bags before the school opening next week.
The free school bags would mean less expense for the parents. It would be a great help to them if the release is made immediately. She assured to check with the BAC the status of the planned procurement of school bags.