The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) opening of bids for the purchase of P2.1 billion worth of vessels was postponed for the third time last week.
“Originally scheduled for Oct. 11, 2024, the opening of bid for the project has been delayed three times,” said lawyer Faye Singson, former assistant prosecutor at the Office of the Ombudsman.
Singson said in a statement the first bidding was cancelled due to lack of quorum brought about by the sudden absence of the special bids and awards committee (SBAC) chairman Zaldy Perez and the members of the technical working group (TWG).
The second was due to unexpected loss of electric power in the BFAR building on Oct. Oct. 15, she said.
Singson said the third and the latest postponement was on Oct. 16. She said Perez attributed ‘once again’ the postponement of the third bidding to power disruptions.
The SBAC pushed the bid opening to Oct. 21.
Manufacturers informed Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. about the delayed opening of the bids.
