With the election season officially underway and the campaign period approaches, Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero said both the National Government and local government units (LGUs) must secure the purchase of health-related goods and services to ensure that the procurement ban does not hamper the country’s pandemic response.
He reminded heads of key agencies in charge of managing the COVID-19 response and local chief executives that from March 25 to May 8, no notices of award can be issued to new projects related to housing, public works and social welfare, in accordance with Circular 03-2021 of the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB).
“It is up to department heads, mayors and governors to ensure that the 2022 Elections would not paralyze COVID-19 management, especially with Omicron triggering an increase in infections to over 25,000 daily. Efficient and effective pandemic response should not stop just because there is a ban on procurement,” said Escudero, who is seeking a Senate comeback.
Sorsogon, which is on Alert Level 3, has started procuring home care kits as early as 2020, which the provincial government distributes to its COVID-19 positive constituents, along with information on home-based care for mild and asymptomatic cases. The proactive approach has paid off as hospital occupancy in the province remained low despite the rise in COVID-19 cases.
“Alam naman natin three years ago pa na may eleksyon at may mga paghihigpit at limitasyon ang puwedeng magawa ng kada ahensya ng pamahalaan. Kaya kami sa lalawigan ay nag-early procurement para hindi abutan ng election ban ang bidding ng mga proyekto na kailangan dumaan naman talaga sa proseso. Hindi dapat ma-delay ang anumang programa, proyekto at lalung-lalo na ang COVID-19 response dahil lamang sa kampanya,” Escudero said.
The GPPB circular, pursuant to Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution No. 10695, allows exemptions to the procurement ban, which includes public works projects approved, funded or started before March 25; emergency works due to calamities; and foreign-assisted or funded projects. All other exemptions on procurements must be approved by the COMELEC.
Escudero urged the COMELEC to consider allowing social welfare projects such as free COVID-19 testing and teleconsultations and other forms of assistance to those affected by the pandemic to continue even during the campaign period.
“Dahil may pandemya ngayon at kita naman ng lahat na matapos ang dalawang taon ay wala pa rin tayong sapat na kahandaan, sana ay huwag ng hadlangan ng COMELEC ang mga ahensya na nagbibigay-tulong at kapakinabangan sa nakararaming tao,” Escudero said.
“These are desperate times, and the benefits of these services far outweigh the need to insulate such activities from perceived political partisanship,” he said.