|
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
DBM opens supplier depot to cut red tape in agencies, local gov’ts
A procurement depot for the supplies needed by National Government agencies, government-owned and-controlled corporations and local government units is now open in Cebu to cut red tape and ensure government savings.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) 7 in Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City opened the Procurement Service (PS) depot in their office to serve government offices in Central Visayas.
The setting up of the PS depot is mandated under Republic Act 9184, also known as An Act Providing for the Modernized, Standardization and Regulation of the Procurement Activities of the Government and for other purposes.
The law was approved in 2003 yet but the depot was only set up at the DBM 7 office early this month.
Jocelyn Chiong, finance and administrative officer of the depot, said personal computers (PCs), office supplies and janitorial goods are now temporarily stored in their office’s third floor.
No funds
She revealed that there is a plan to construct a separate building to serve as a depot, but there are no available funds for the purpose.
With the PS depot, the government saves on the conduct of bidding procedures since it is now centralized at the DBM Central Office, Chiong said.
There is also a cut on bureaucratic procedures, so the purchases are done faster now.
However, local suppliers could still present their price quotations as long as they register under the Government Electronic Procurement System (G-EPS).
Under the law, the G-EPS already serves as the primary and definitive source of information on government procurement.
The DBM 7 launched the PS depot with the “PC ng Bayan,” which makes cheap PCs available to government employees.
Chiong said the service is in line with the promotion of computer use among Filipinos, since the Philippines lags behind its Asian neighbors in the number of households with PCs.
Aside from PCs priced at P15,700 to P16,500, ink cartridges, paper and other needed office supplies, which were shipped to Cebu inside four container vans, cost lower than those sold in the market.
Still cheaper
“Even if there is an additional 10 percent charge for the freight costs, the prices still came out cheaper than usual,” Chiong said.
Government agencies and local government units, which pay in checks, need to present certificates of the availability of funds to ensure the procurement is duly approved and is included in the budget.
Some barangays have also submitted barangay resolutions to support the purchases, Chiong said. (CYR)
(August 31, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
