SOME discrepancies were found by the City Council members in the purchase of the P3.9-million tourist bus under the administration of former Mayor Monico Puentevella.
A joint committee hearing on the issue was led by Councilor Caesar Distrito, chairman of committee on laws, along with Councilor Dindo Ramos, chairman of committee on transportation; and Councilor Cindy Rojas, chairman of committee on environment.
Also present were Jerome Solinap, former head of Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), current BAC head Goldwyn Nifras, members of the the BAC Technical Working Group, and Land Transportation Office (LTO) officer-charge Renato Novero, among others.
Supplier Nikka Trading failed to send their representatives.
Distrito said that based on the documents, they found out that the engine number of the bus indicated in the deed of sale was different from the one in the purchase order.
“The purchase order should be done first before the deed of sale,” he said.
On August 24, Save Bacolod Movement’s Sammy Montoyo asked the SP to conduct an investigation and hearing regarding the purchase of the bus.
Distrito said that based on LTO records, the tourist bus was a 1994 model and not brand-new as shown in its certificate of registration and official receipt.
The bus was also registered to Vallacar Transit Inc. in LTO Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.
Distrito said the Vallacar Transit confirmed that they sold the bus to the Nikka Trading.
He said the supplier also failed to meet the exact date of delivery of the bus.
“Based on the contract, if the supplier fails to meet the 30-day deadline, a penalty should be imposed,” Distrito added.
Novero said only their office could determine if the vehicle engine is a brand-new or not.
He said there is a process to be followed to purchase a brand new vehicle.
Solinap insisted that only the engine of the city bus is brand-new, not the whole bus itself.
He said they followed the right process and the transaction is aboveboard, adding a entirely brand-new 61-seater bus would cost at least P7 million.
Solinap is also set to visit LTO Himamaylan to check the registration of the bus.
Distrito said he will also make a comprehensive report to determine if the procurement process was in order or not, and if there is more clarification, he will hold another hearing.
