Lopez assures ₱3-B BFP contract on track

Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez has assured that the implementation of the ₱3.27-billion Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) procurement contract to the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) for the construction of fire stations and supplies and equipment is on track.

Lopez, who is also chair of the DTI attached agency PITC, issued this assurance in reply to concerns raised by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto about the delay of the project and why PITC, the government’s trading arm, is involved in the construction of the BFP fire stations.

“The procurement process for fire trucks and fire station needs of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is on track and awards for project implementation shall be issued before the year ends,” said Lopez in a statement.

Lopez explained that “The BFP outsourced the procurement of its fire trucks and the design and build of fire stations across the regions to the PITC in keeping with the Republic Act No. 9184, which is the government procurement law.”

“The PITC is only the procurement agent that works closely with the concerned agencies as to timetable and budget availability. The PITC acts in close collaboration with the BFP, which has representatives in our Bids and Awards Committee, and in the technical working group that approved the terms of reference for every procurement,” the trade chief said.

PITC President Dave Almarinez said that “The BFP contracted the PITC precisely because we are known to exercise strict due diligence to ensure that the contractors and suppliers are above board and able to fully comply with the requirements and needs of the BFP.”

He also assured that PITC shall immediately submit a detailed status report to Senator Recto.

The PITC is a government corporation that is often tapped by major departments and agencies such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Department of Health (DOH), and the BFP, among several other institutions to ensure an independent and meritbased procurement process. (Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat)