A resolution requesting the Bids and Awards Committee to submit a report to the Sangguniang Panlungsod on the purchase of the 10-wheeler dump trucks by the city is being proposed by Bacolod Councilor Catalino Alisbo.

The resolution said that the SP, through its different committees and in the spirit of transparency, should look into the reported alleged irregularity in the purchase of the vehicles for the Solid Waste Management program of the city.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia wrote the Commercial Motors Corporation, the supplier of the 10 dump trucks, that, the city is recalling the award for the purchase of the vehicles pending the result of an investigation.

He has directed the City Legal Office to investigate the allegation of a salesman of CMC that there are irregularities, especially in the price per unit, of the 10 units six-wheeler dump trucks.

The city is procuring 10 units of dump trucks from Commercial Motors Corporation at P895,000 per unit.

In his letter to CMC dated Feb. 18, 2008 , Leonardia said the statement of its salesman on local television and a local paper implied irregularities in the purchase of the dump trucks for the use of the Department of Public Services.

He said the statement spawned the implications that there was overprice in the actual price per unit of the six-wheeler dump trucks.

City Legal Officer Allan Zamora said he will invite the salesman of CMC shown in the footage, when he starts the investigation. He said the salesman alleged that the transaction involved a “standard operating procedure” which other people may interpret as an irregularity.

If the CMC salesman does not come to Bacolod , there is a possibility that the city will cancel the award, Zamora said. If possible, the salesman should pinpoint who received the alleged “SOP,” if there is any, to spare those who have no involvement, he said.

He will also invite the members of the BAC Secretariat to the investigation, Zamora said, since they handle all the documents.

Leonardia, earlier, said they are recalling the award given to the supplier to satisfy transparency because there is an allegation of irregularities.

He said the BAC has complied with all the procedural requirement and that the supplier learned about the bidding through the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System where it was posted.

Meanwhile, Leonardia appealed to the 61 barangay captains of Bacolod City for their support and cooperation in the implementation of the Solid Waste Management program of the city in their barangays.

The Mayor met with the barangay captains during the recent induction of the Association of Barangay Captains led by Councilor Diosdado Valenzuela.

Valenzuela said the public should do their share in the implementation of the SWM program and not blame the government, especially the Mayor, when there are problems. He said it is everybody's business and they should cooperate with the government in keeping the city clean.*CGS

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