A one-day orientation to the Head of Procuring Entity, Bids and Awards Committee and School Inspectorate Team of the four (4) newly legislated secondary schools (R.A. No. 10633 General Appropriations Act Fiscal Year 2014) namely, Malaybalay City National High School (formerly BNHS San Jose Annex), Malaybalay City National Science High School (formerly BNHS Aglayan Annex), Casisang National High School (formerly BNHS Casisang Annex) and Kalasungay National High School (formerly BNHS Kalasungay Extension) was conducted by the Division Bids and Awards Committee last February 11 at DOST Building, Bukidnon National High School, Malaybalay City.
The activity was initiated by Schools Division Superintendent, Edilberto L. Oplenaria, with the aim to promote good governance, transparency and accountability in the said schools. Mr. Pariso L Orong, Principal IV of the mother school (Bukidnon National High School) gave a welcoming remark to all the participants with a reminder to the newly constituted School BAC, SIT and HOPE to be very careful in affixing their signature in any document especially when it involves government funds.
Mr. Ralph T. Quirog, Division BAC Chairman/EPS in Social Studies gave an overview on the GPRA (R.A. No. 9184-Government Procurement Reform Act) and Dr. Jutchel L. Nayra, Division BAC Vice Chairman/Administrative Officer V discussed on the General Provisions. Ms. Analy L. Ocier, Division BAC Member/EPS in Science lectured on the Procurement Planning and Budget Linkages and Ms. Sibyl L. Maputi, Head of Division BAC Secretariat/Administrative Officer III discussed on the Alternative Modes of Procurement. Ms. Rosie A. Salupado, Division BAC Member/Guidance Coordinator talked about Procurement Service Flow of Operations.
In the afternoon, Dr. Anna Belen S. Muring, Division BAC Secretariat/EPS in Private Schools lectured about Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS). Ms. Josie D. Zamora, Division Inspectorate Team Chairman/EPS Designate discussed on the roles of the School Inspectorate Team. Mr. Luis S. Alajar Jr., Division Chair of TWG/EPS in TLE talked about offenses and its corresponding penalties per RA 9184 giving emphasis on the six years and one day as minimum and fifteen years as maximum penalty for crimes committed under this law.
A workshop spearheaded by Ms. Florabelle R. Porras, Division BAC Member/Records In-Charge and Mr. Paul John P. Arias, Division BAC Secretariat/Planning Officer II was conducted thereafter. The output of the participants was presented and generally it was close to perfection. It was overwhelming that the participants learned quickly and manifested their eagerness to apply what they learned in the orientation to the actual conduct of procurement.
A School Head will be downloaded in full their school MOOE which will be utilized for the maintenance and operations of the school (pursuant to DepEd Order No. 60, s. 2011). Hence, the purpose of the orientation is to fully equip the School Head, the School BAC and SIT in handling and safeguarding the coffers of the Philippine government. With this, the Bids and Awards Committee ought to exercise jury duty in carrying out their roles and functions.
As one of its governing principles, public officials and private parties whenever warranted are investigated to ensure the accountability aspect of the procurement process. Nevertheless, the procurement law is easy to follow because its process is streamlined to be simple and uniform in all levels of the government. It is adaptable to the latest advances in technology as evidenced by the use of electronic posting of bid opportunities and awards in the PhilGEPS website. It is transparent because of wide dissemination of bid opportunities and participation of the public is encouraged as part of monitoring. When the bid opportunities are widely disseminated, competitiveness will come in and when there is competition and transparency, the price most advantageous to the government is obtained.
By: Sibyl L. Maputi, Administrative Officer III