THE City Council members who looked into the purchase of speech laboratory for public schools in Bacolod City recommended to supplier Nikka Trading and recipient Department of Education (DepEd) to have a final conciliation conference.
Councilor Renecito Novero, chair of committee on education, said that after the joint committee hearing and a thorough investigation, they found out very technical issues between the Nikka Trading and DepEd.
He said the supplier delivered the items not in accordance with the specifications requested by the DepEd.
On July 7, 2016, Schools Division Superintendent Cynthia Demavivas sent a letter addressed to former Mayor Monico Puentevella stating that Nikka Trading delivered computer packages, not speech laboratory sets as indicated in their purchase request.
Last February 26, Demavivas submitted the request to the City Mayor’s Office for the acquisition of 22 sets of K to 12 Interactive Language Laboratory for the 22 public high schools in the city.
Novero said the DepEd wants an analog type of speech laboratory like the one in Negros Occidental High School, but the supplier delivered digital units, or with computers.
“Our recommendation is to provide both parties a final conciliation conference,” he said.
Novero cited Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act that encourages settlement of disputes.
“They should settle their differences so that there will be no filing of case and the students will avail the equipment immediately,” he added.
Demavivas had earlier said she will not accept the speech laboratory equipment until supplier Nikka Trading will comply with the purchase order requirements.
If there is no settlement between the Nikka Trading and the DepEd, Novero said they will refer the matter to Mayor Evelio Leonardia for the City Legal Office to proceed with the mandatory provisions of RA 9184.
The previous administration has already issued a check worth P38,683,507.50 as payment to Nikka Trading, but it was withheld when the transition team of Mayor Evelio Leonardia discovered the transaction.
In May, Nikka Trading delivered the equipment to various schools in the city, but Novero said the materials were received by the school representatives only for the purposes of storage.
Novero also questioned the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for the absence of notice of award and notice to proceed for the winning bidder, and why they rushed the payment and the issuance of the check which was signed by the city treasurer and the general services officer.
If there is enough evidence for the filling of cases against the erring officials, it is the discretion of the CLO to file an administrative and criminal charges, he said.
Novero said the Council can only act on resolutions or ordinances.
“We are not in the position to institute any action,” he added.
Novero recommended that the City Government not assign the sensitive governmental position to the one person only like the city administrator, who signs the check, who also chairs the Bids and Awards Committee, and who also heads the Government Services Office that accepts the delivered materials.
Novero said the previous administration has assigned only one person in said positions.
