DPWH eyes shorter bidding period for infra projects

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Monday said it wants to shorten the bidding process and speed up the flow of infrastructure projects. It is now looking at ways to reduce the requirements, the submissions of which cause undue delays in procurement procedures and construction of roads and bridges, said Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson. If the plan is approved, the department would be able to award contracts within a shorter period. “Instead of more than five to six months procurement period, it can be shortened to at least 30 days if only these requirements are reduced," according to Singson. Once the new process is in place, the DPWH will ask contractors the bid price, bid security, compliance certificate [that they have complied with all the registration requirements], and their latest financial capability. “In terms of the requirements, some of them are already in the database that should no longer be reviewed. On the day of bidding, they only have to check the bid security and the price. These are the standard requirements compared before that they have to submit everything for every project they bid for," he said. —VS, GMANews.TV