Manila: The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Thursday assured the timely and efficient bidding process of PHP2.1 billion worth of fishing vessels after a power outage delayed the process.
The BFAR made the statement amid some concerns over the delayed opening of bids on Wednesday due to a power outage at the BFAR Main Building in Quezon City.
‘Parang nili-link yung pagkawala ng kuryente sa pagka-delay ng (The power outage has been linked to the delay in the) bidding process. Ang BFAR po ay on proper process na sinisiguro na magiging efficient, magiging fast and efficient ang process ng bidding (The BFAR is on the proper process and we are ensuring that it will be a fast and efficient process of) bidding, taking into account compliance with existing rules and regulations on the procurement process,’ BFAR Spokesperson Nazario Briguera said in a phone interview.
He said the BFAR complies with all the standard procedures of procurement, with other stakeholders observing virtually.
‘Hindi po
gawa-gawa iyong dahilan, nangyari po iyong outage beyond our control (It’s not a made-up excuse, the power outage happened beyond our control),’ Briguera said.
‘Wala pong kinalaman iyong pagkawala ng kuryente doon sa bidding. Kaya lang, as you know ngayon, kailangan talagang may kuryente, hybrid iyon may stakeholders na nag-o-observe (The power disruption has nothing to do with the bidding. Unfortunately, as you know, we needed electricity because it was a hybrid [meeting] and stakeholders were observing) virtually.’
Briguera noted that Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.’s move to form a Technical Working Group for the project only shows its urgency.
‘Ayaw nating ma-delay kung ano man iyong programa ng gobyerno kung saan tao ang makikinabang (We don’t want any delay on government programs that would benefit the people),’ he said.
Based on the BFAR’s notice of postponement, the opening of bids was moved to Oct. 21 to give way for the ‘immediate repair of the primary electrical supply’ in the BF
AR main building.
The project covers the procurement of steel hull fishing vessels, 62-footer fiberglass reinforced plastic hulled fishing boats, and fishing and safety gear, among others.
Source: Philippines News agency
