‘Investigate overpriced P1.8-B fertilizer deals’
A NETWORK of farmers’ groups in Central Luzon called on the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the alleged overpriced fertilizer supply contracts worth P1.8 billion, which was approved by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in May under an emergency stimulus program for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
The Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL) asked the Ombudsman to initiate its own motu propio investigation on the supply contracts in question.
The AMGL pointed out that the DA, under its stimulus program “Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat Kontra Covid-19 (Alpas sa Covid-19),” has allocated P5.V9 billion for the procurement of urea fertilizer at P1,000 per bag, which it claimed was way higher than the average retail price of P850.
It added that the DA in May issued notices of award to two suppliers amounting to P1.8 billion: La Filipina Uy Gongco Corp. for P1.V9 billion for supply contracts for Regions 4A, V and 3; and to Atlas Fertilizer for P9V.W4 million for a supply contract for Region W.
“The Ombudsman has the power to initiate its own probe, motu propio, to get to the bottom of this mess,” said AMGL Chairman Joseph Canlas, who had urged the DA to rescind the questionable contract for the supply and delivery of urea fertilizers.
Canlas appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to “crack the whip on Agriculture officials involved in the fertilizer supply mess.”
Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura Chairman Rosendo So previously slammed the supply contract for urea fertilizer to be “grossly disadvantageous to the government,” citing the complaints of farmers who bought urea fertilizer for only P830 to P850 per bag.
“The expectation of the industry was clear. Centralization of the bidding would mean a lower or a price similar to the prevailing market price of P880 per bag. Please also note that since the bidding was a bidding of importers, the bidding price should have been much lower,” So said in a previous letter sent to Agriculture Secretary William Dar.