By Florence F. Hibionada
Where can one find a company licensed to sell animal feeds yet able to supply the government a digital camera, various office supplies, an airconditioner and water tank?
Where can one find partial delivery of agricultural supplies despite full payment made?
While at it, be issued too, an Official Receipt (OR) and a Charge Invoice (CI) showing a different owner from the supposed owner?
And where can one find “middlemen” in government purchases that caused government to pay for a laptop valued P99,000 yet delivered with a lesser brand and lesser worth?
The answer – from suppliers of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.
All subjects of the latest Annual Audit Report (AAR) of the Commission on Audit (COA), answers are now sought anew from Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Sr. This, as State Auditors identified the involved suppliers – “Cleafar Enterprises” and “The Seven Seven Trading.”
The AAR as obtained by The News Today (TNT) disclosed specifics on what have been directly labeled as “irregular expenditures.” Government auditors justified such saying “the manner of procurement is considered irregular since it is in violation of a government policy to acquire the items directly from reputable manufacturers or their duly licensed distributors.”
First to go under COA’s scrutiny in a post audit was P138,960 worth of agricultural supplies said to be part of the landscaping in front of the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC).
As per COA report, the deal was laden with numerous irregularities and illegalities. For one, advance payment – contrary to law - to “Clearfar Enterprises” was established. Second, no less than the acting Provincial Agriculturist confirmed to the COA team that “there was indeed incomplete delivery” at the time other Capitol documents showed the purported complete delivery.
Third, closer look made by State Auditors on paperworks submitted by Cleafar Enterprises revealed glaring discrepancies. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) business records showed a Ma. Cecilia Buenconsejo as owner with business address at Zarraga, Iloilo. CI and OR meantime showed a Jose Benjamin Pama as owner with business address at Jaro, Iloilo City.
Meantime, yet another irregular expenditure still with Cleafar Enterprises as Capitol’s partner supplier.
This, as COA noted how Capitol equipment and office supplies were purchased here when said company’s line of business is totally different from what is registered with the DTI.
The provincial government as per COA audit purchased at Cleafar Enterprises a digital camera valued P16,924.34, various office supplies worth P16,320, Air conditioner worth P9,309.50, refrigerator worth P12,900, industrial water tank worth P9,288 and various agri supplies worth P23,932.80.
Yet again, as COA pointed out, said supplier as per verification with DTI only handles “feeding stuff for animals.”
“The determination of eligibility of suppliers are based on the submission of legal documents such as DTI, business name registration, valid and current Mayor’s permit etc. to the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC),” the COA wrote.
On a related mis-development, another Capitol supplier is in hot water tagged by COA as Capitol “middleman.” The deal involved the purchase of one unit of laptop computer worth P99,000 yet when delivered, replaced with one worth only P59,900.
Seven Seven Trading was the lone bidder for said laptop. When the unit was delivered, it was not what was specified and paid for but the Capitol inspection team Turned out, that the specified Laptop was already phased out in the market. Seven Seven Trading as per COA verification also carries computer ink only yet debunked thereafter by the company assistant manager. COA however maintained its position.
“We disagree with their allegations since it is apparent that “The Seven Seven Trading” is merely a middleman due to the unavailability of the items being bidded upon until the PO was received on January 31, 2008. The certification issued by Electroworld Inc. to Mr. Ramie Salcedo proved that the item in the PO does not exist in the shelves of The Seven Seven Trading and dependent only in the stocks of Electroworld Inc. the source of the said laptop unit,” the COA report went.
BAC did try to defend “The Seven Seven Trading” though stating compliance on the eligibility criteria.” Yet COA had an answer – “On June 22, 2009, the Audit Team revisited “The Seven Seven Trading” and found no computers on display. Pictures were taken to revalidate and document the visit.”
Incidentally, TNT obtained a copy of the letter of Cristina U. Te who identified herself as the owner of “The Seven Seven Trading” and referred to Electroworld Inc. as their supplier.
As such, COA was specific of its recommendation – Capitol BAC should stop practice of accepting middlemen in the procurement of items for the provincial government. And for BAC to perform its function “especially in the pre-qualification process in order to ensure that suppliers are well-scrutinized, eligible, competitive and capable to deliver.”
source
Everyone should be vigilant on irregular, illegal, unnecessary, unlawful, excessive, extravagant and unconscionable expenditures!
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