De Guzman: Bidding for P63-M Marikina garbage hauling deal aboveboard

MANILA, Philippines –  Marikina City Mayor Del de Guzman vowed yesterday that the bidding for the P63-million garbage hauling contract will be transparent as he disclosed that 12 contractors have already submitted their sealed bids.

De Guzman made his vow following complaints aired by some contractors that they were given the “run-around” in the procurement of documents needed for the submission of bids, apparently in a move to exclude them from the bidding.

De Guzman urged affected contractors to come out in the open so he could initiate an investigation of their complaint. “An aggrieved party normally has the moral courage and conviction to pursue his grievances out in the open,” he said.

Nevertheless, the mayor welcomed the complaint as an “opportunity to ensure transparency.”

He said the bids and awards committee (BAC), headed by city engineer Alfonso Espiritu, assured him that all qualified bidders for the garbage disposal contract for this year were entertained.

IPM Construction and Development, which has “cornered” the city garbage-hauling contract for the past 15 years, is also listed as one of the bidders, he said. “We are not favoring any contractors, bidders or groups for this project,” the mayor explained.

City information officer Paul Sison said De Guzman’s “track record as congressman of the city’s second district for three terms is one of transparency in all government transactions.”

De Guzman also warned the potential winning bidder that he would designate contractual employees to monitor the daily garbage collection in the city’s 16 barangays and look out for “ghost trips” and other anomalies allegedly practiced by garbage contractors in the past.

De Guzman, who is not a member of the BAC, said the opening of sealed bids will be on Jan. 19, the bid evaluation will be on Jan. 20 and the notice of award on Jan. 24. 

He said the pre-bid conference was held at the City Hall building Wednesday in the presence of concerned groups and journalists covering Marikina.