DND creates 2 new bid panels to hasten modernization

MANILA, Philippines - Two special bids and awards committees were formed at the Department of National Defense (DND) to fast-track the military’s capability upgrade.

The two panels will complement the agency’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) headed by Defense Assistant Secretary Ernesto Boac.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin signed last June 20 Department Order No. 113 creating the two special bids and awards committees.

The STAR obtained a copy of the order which states that the two new panels would address important matters and concerns relative to the fast-tracking of the military’s modernization program.

Fernando Manalo, defense undersecretary for finance, munitions, installations and materiel, will head the DND Special Bids and Awards Committee 1.

The vice chairman will be Assistant Secretary Patrick Velez.

 The members are Director Iluminada Afuang, Armed Forces deputy chief of staff Maj. Gen. Gregorio Macapagal and another representative from the military.

Eduardo Batac, defense undersecretary for civil, veterans and reserve affairs, was named chairman of the Special Bids and Awards Committee 2.

The vice chairman will be Efren Fernandez, defense assistant secretary.

The members are Directors Peter Galvez and Alexander Gonzales, and a military representative.

The provisional members of the two new committees are the vice commanders of the AFP’s major services and the heads of the DND civilian agencies.

Velez told The STAR the DND is committed to fast-track the implementation of about 140 projects under the AFP capability upgrade program.

“The sheer volume and the specialized procedure as well as the highly technical nature of the equipment to be procured for this intended program requires additional BACs,” he said.

Velez said the new committees would provide the appropriate technical support and expertise to speed up the process and complete a majority of the modernization program by yearend.

Most of the procurement activities for the program would involve alternative methods of procurement like government-to-government, emergency and direct procurement.

The committee chairmen and members will have a one-year fixed term.

The order took effect immediately.

The original bids and awards committee led by Boac will continue to perform its functions.

The vice chair of the committee is DND legal service chief Cherrie Belmonte-Lim.

The members are Directors Nestor Castro and Marita Yoro and Army Col. Joselito Reyes.

The DND aims to approve the contracts of 138 military modernization projects by July.

It is seeking P75 billion to bankroll the military’s modernization program in the next five years.

Among the defense equipment to be acquired in the next five years are communications equipment, lead-in fighter trainer jets, closed air support aircraft, long range patrol aircraft, radar systems and engineering equipment.