BACOLOD City – The distribution of free school supplies for public elementary pupils in this city will be delayed due to changes brought about by the newly implemented procurement law.
The delay stems from the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 12009, also known as the New Government Procurement Act, which took effect in 2024. The new law aims to modernize and streamline the government’s procurement system, revising the RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.
Councilor Al Victor Espino, on June 9, acknowledged the delay and said, “Admittedly, we own up to our mistakes when we commit them.”
He was referring to his earlier assurance that the city would distribute school bags and supplies in time for the opening of classes on June 16.
“The ball is now rolling. On May 14, the documents for the bidding process were submitted to the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) so they could begin the procurement process,” Espino explained.
He added that one of the main issues is the implementation of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of RA 12009, which has caused unforeseen delays.
“So, may dyutay kita nga delay,” he admitted.
Espino is set to discuss the matter with the Local School Board (LSB) during their meeting today, June 10.
While the bidding process has already begun, the revised bidding documents are still pending release from the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB). As such, Espino confirmed that the supplies will not be distributed by the originally targeted date of June 16.
The city’s free school supplies program is mandated under City Ordinance No. 09-16-787, which allots an annual budget of P15 million for the distribution of bags and supplies to public elementary school students.
This year, however, the city has increased the allocation to P32 million due to rising prices. The Special Education Fund (SEF) has provided additional funding to support the program./PN
