CEBU CITY: The acting mayor here ordered the immediate suspension of all procurement orders for the upcoming Palarong Pambansa in July.
Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia issued a memorandum on Monday addressed to the city government’s Bids and Awards Committees for Goods and Services and for Infrastructure and Consulting Services, directing them to ‘defer pending activities related to Palarong Pambansa 2024.’
The order covers activities that include the conduct of bidding, issuance of notices of award or notices to proceed, purchase orders, contracts, and any other activity short of an award.
Garcia said the suspension promotes ‘good governance and adheres to the principles of transparency and accountability, adding that he wants all contracts aligned with the provisions of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act and its implementing rules and regulations.
‘Tan-awon nako ang gipang-prioritize nila, ang ilang budget. Kay daghan kaayong mga information coming from other offices nga basi’g
naay mga items nga dili priority or dili kinahanglan (I will see what they prioritize in the budget. Because there are a lot of information coming from other offices that there were items that are not priority or not needed),’ Garcia said in a press conference at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
The acting mayor clarified the suspension should not affect the other ongoing activities in preparation for the event, including the ongoing construction of the track oval at the CCSC.
During an inspection on Monday, Garcia said he would meet the contractor of the track oval renovation.
‘I am still very optimistic the renovation will be finished. It should be finished,’ he said.
The multi-event Palarong Pambansa for elementary and secondary student-athletes will be held July 6 to 17.
Source: Philippines News Agency
