In recognition of the need to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and employees in Bicol Region as well as the public that it serve, Regional Director Virgilio C. Eduarte ordered the swift adoption of the electronic submission and receipt of bids for the procurement of civil works contract.
“We have to maintain the continuous flow of delivery of essential services to the public even in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic,” said RD Eduarte during the meeting of Regional and District Engineering Offices (DEOs) Bids and Award Committees (BAC) together OIC-Assistant Regional Director Gerald A. Pacanan as well as the District Engineers region-wide on October 1, 2020 at Albay 1st DEO, Airport Site, Legazpi City.
“DPWH being the construction arm of the government has to be steadfast in carrying its role in nation building. We will likely fail if we delay the procurement process due to pandemic fright,” RD Eduarte added.
It will be recalled that DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar issued Department Order No. 87, series of 2020 enjoining all Public Works and Highways offices to conduct the project bidding electronically. The Procurement Service of the said Department initiated a series of webinars nationwide for the transfer of related knowledge and skills however, due to intermittent internet connections, face-to-face orientation was deemed necessary.
“Our Department had long been advocating for paperless transactions, this present situation has more or less presented the opportunity to jumpstart another major tasks towards the attainment of quality infrastructure facilities for all,” the Director concluded.