DPWH lifts suspension on procurement for locally-funded projects

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

The department is also requiring all projects, regardless of cost, infrastructure type, or funding source, to undergo geotagging at the following stages: planning (prior to implementation), mobilization, monthly progress, and completion, which is stated under Department Order (D.O.) 85, series of 2020. (File Photo: Department of Public Works and Highways/Facebook)

MANILA – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Tuesday lifted the suspension on procurement activities for locally-funded civil works projects in the country.

“Pending a full review of the Department’s internal processes, and in the exigency of the service to prevent delays in the implementation of critical national infrastructure, the suspension is hereby lifted, subject to strict adherence to the following preliminary measures and all applicable laws, rules, and regulations,” Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said in a memorandum signed Sept. 16.

At the same time, the DPWH chief has laid out several guidelines and strict reminders on compliance with applicable laws, policies, and regulations, to avoid delays in the implementation of key infrastructure projects under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Among the new guidelines is the livestreaming of bidding activities.

The department is also requiring all projects, regardless of cost, infrastructure type, or funding source, to undergo geotagging at the following stages: planning (prior to implementation), mobilization, monthly progress, and completion, which is stated under Department Order (D.O.) 85, series of 2020.

“The accountable offices concerned are further directed to strictly review and verify the integrity of geotagged photographs and to monitor compliance by all personnel involved in the geotagging of civil works projects. This ensures location accuracy, validates project existence, and maintains consistency with approved planning documents,” the memorandum said.

Another requirement is strict compliance with the order to conduct Road and Bridge Information Application Validation as stated under D.O. 124, series of 2016.

“Concerned offices shall ensure the accuracy and integrity of data in the Road and Bridge Information Application (RBIA). Accordingly, strict compliance with the conduct of random field validations, spot-checks, and site quality assurance of visual road condition assessments is mandated to ensure that projects exist and are of acceptable quality,” the memorandum added.

Likewise, it required that all project data shall be accurately and completely encoded, verified, and validated in the Project and Contract Management Application (PCMA) and the Civil Works Application to improve project monitoring and contract management processes.

“The PCMA shall serve as the official source of a project’s physical accomplishments. As such, accurate encoding, data verification and validation, and strict monitoring are mandatory to ensure the verifiable existence of all projects,” the memorandum said.

At the same time, it noted that splitting of government contracts is not allowed, and the Net Financial Contracting Capacity of prospective bidders shall be duly reviewed in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9184, the Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA), and RA 12009, the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA), and their respective IRRs.

“The computation shall be based on financial data submitted to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) through the Electronic Filing and Payment System (FPS) and supported by the latest Audited Financial Statements (AFS), duly stamped ‘Received’ by the BIR. Bidders who fail to meet the foregoing financial eligibility requirements, including their alternatives, shall be disqualified,” the memorandum read.

“All prospective bidders shall be required to submit a sworn disclosure of relations and beneficial ownership, clearly identifying the natural persons who ultimately own, control, or benefit from the bidding entity, whether directly or indirectly, through shareholding, voting rights, contractual arrangements, or other means of control,” it added.

The implementing offices shall be responsible for verifying and validating the accuracy and completeness of disclosures to detect and prevent conflicts of interest, prohibited relationships, or attempts to circumvent procurement rules.

The DPWH chief directed all concerned offices and implementing units to ensure strict compliance with the foregoing safeguards, as well as all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

“Noncompliance shall be deemed sufficient cause for the deferment or cancellation of the bidding process and shall subject the responsible officials and personnel to appropriate administrative and/or criminal actions, in accordance with existing laws, rules, and regulations,” he said in the memorandum.

Last Sept. 6, a DPWH memorandum suspended procurement activities for locally-funded civil works projects amid controversies surrounding its projects, particularly on flood control.