Timely delivery of goods, works and services essential to the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) implementation is dependent on effective and efficient procurement practices and processes. Like other Project components and units, the DA-PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) Bicol’s Procurement Unit adapted to the new normal of doing business with participating Local Government Units (LGUs) to ensure unhampered delivery of project interventions to target beneficiaries and communities. 

To further strengthen RPCO Bicol’s compliance to procurement processes and timelines, the DA-PRDP Project Support Office (PSO) South Luzon Cluster Procurement Unit conducted a three-day Post-Procurement Review (PPR) for the Procurement Unit from July 20 to 22, 2021 in Pili, Camarines Sur. Procurement Officers Maria Rhoda Lavinia Mendoza and Gerson Paghid Jr. of PSO South Luzon reviewed nine (9) contracts awarded under the DA-PRDP enterprise development (I-REAP) component and four (4) contracts under Global Environment Facility (GEF).  

According to Mendoza, the PPR is one of the strategies being employed by the DA-PRDP to guarantee that procurement timelines and processes are being followed, which include filing of complete procurement documents, and adherence to the procurement plan and item specifications.

Mendoza added that the semestral activity also assesses whether contracts were issued immediately, delivered and paid on time. She expressed that failure to do so often results in delayed project implementation. Also, the PPR serves as an avenue to probe reported fraudulent practices. 

RPCO Bicol Procurement Officer Engineer Jesti Bergantin said that the PPR enhanced the Procurement Unit’s familiarization with the Project’s procurement guidelines which gives them the confidence to strictly implement it to partner LGUs. He mentioned that the activity also enabled them to devise flexible measures to facilitate the procurement process amid restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Under the new normal, RPCO Bicol’s Procurement Unit allows submission of electronic copies of procurement documents. Also, they now accept documents sent through courier, electronic mail, and fax. Moreover, pre-bid conferences and bid opening activities are being done through blended meetings. (Annielyn L. Baleza, DA RAFIS V/PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)

PRDP PSO South Luzon Procurement Officers Maria Rhoda Lavinia Mendoza and Gerson Paghid Jr. conduct the Post-Procurement Review to nine contracts awarded under PRDP enterprise development (I-REAP) component and four contracts under Global Environment Facility (GEF) on July 22, 2021 at the PRDP-Bicol Office in Pili, Camarines Sur.