Solinap, Polvora elected as bidding officials

THE Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) has its new officials.

General Services Office head Jerome Solinap and City Assessor Maphilindo Polvora were elected chairman and vice chairman of the Bacolod City Bids and Awards Committee, respectively, by members of the BAC on Wednesday.

Solinap took over from City Agriculturist Goldwyn Nifras, who has been BAC chairman since 2006.

Permits and licensing head Vicente Petierre III said Thursday that Mayor Evelio Leonardia elected the members of the BAC on Monday composed of Solinap, Polvora, Gilda Lluisma, Jared Encabo and himself.

They then elected among themselves who will be the chairman and vice chairman of BAC, he said.

Petierre said that aside from being the city agriculturist, Nifras is also the acting city administrator.

Nifras tendered his resignation as BAC chairman last August 28.

Meanwhile, Solinap said that under his watch, the BAC will continue to ensure transparency in the procurement process.

"We need to be transparent because we're all accountable to the people," he said in an interview with Bombo Radyo Bacolod.

Solinap added that the BAC will adhere to principles based on Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Regarding the bidding for the privatization of garbage collection, Solinap said he has not yet reviewed the documents because the bidding took place before he assumed office.

He said he cannot comment on the matter because they will entertain transactions from September 12 onwards and that he is still in the process of reviewing the transaction.

He said the BAC will eventually act on the transaction, based on the recommendation of the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB).

Bacolod-based firm Dynamic Builders and Construction Co. won the bidding for the garbage collection and hauling services last May, but BAC disqualified the firm during the post-qualification stage.

The BAC decision was based on the GPPB opinion, which stated that the business permit of the construction firm does not include hauling services.

Dynamic Builders asked to be reinstated as the qualified contractor but its motion for reconsideration was also denied by the BAC last month.

After Dynamic Builders was disqualified, BAC validated the bid documents of Metrowaste Solid Waste Management Corp., the second lowest bidder.

Dynamic Builders was declared having the "lowest responsive financial bid" during the bidding last May, with its bid price of P69,107,140.40 for the eight-month garbage collection and hauling services while Metrowaste offered P69,910,711.80.

Nifras then said the Technical Working Group has sought a certification from the City Planning and Development Office for the classification of the land where the proposed transfer stations of Metrowaste will be situated. (CNC)