Secretary Jaime Bautista has been quick in making changes within the Department of Transportation (DOTr), but not for crucial airport development.
Bautista has issued a special order dated January 25 that consolidates all procurement activities within the agency under a Centralized Bids and Awards Committee (CBAC) covering all of DOTr’s sectoral and regional offices.
The CBAC is tasked to implement the bidding and procurement for DOTr offices and attached agencies such as the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for all transactions and contracts worth above P50 million.
“Splitting of contracts that exceed procedural purchase limits to avoid competitive bidding or to circumvent the limits of approving or procurement authority is strictly prohibited,” he added.
Bautista’s new order repeals DOTr orders dating back to 2011 on bidding and purchases. He said the changes were made in the “best interest” of DOTr’s service.