PRDP’s Community Participation mode of procurement helps build local economy

DAET, CAMARINES NORTE – For the first time, the Samahang Organik/Fair Trade Coconut Farmers Bicol-Quezon (SOFaCoFa B-Q) will receive a P7.59 million-worth of assistance from the government. But while some beneficiaries are disappointed with alleged bureaucratic red tape, Rey Lucis, its president, is so impressed at how the government, through the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) simplifies the procurement process, promotes building the local economy and empowers the community by engaging them in procurement activities.

“Napakaganda ng Community Participation (CP) kasi yung participation ng community sa project na ginagawa doon sa lugar namin, ang makikinabang yung nasa community at saka yung mga taxes nyan, yung town namin ang makikinabang (The Community Participation procurement method is very good because it encourages the community to participate in the project. It will also gain revenues for the benefit of the community),” he said during the Coaching Orientation on CP for the Coco Geonet Production Project in Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte.

The PRDP Project Support Office South Luzon and Bicol Procurement team conducted the coaching and orientation on September 13, 2018, this municipality to orient the proponent group about the policies and procedures under the CP Mode of Procurement. Members of the SOFaCoFa B-Q Board of Directors and Procurement committee attended the activity.
According to PRDP PSO South Luzon Procurement Unit Head Michael Gregory Vargas, CP is a procurement approach to involve the community or the proponent group who are going to implement the approved business proposal in subproject implementation. In the CP method, the community is engaged as procuring entity and service provider to the local government unit or third-party observers.

“Sa Community Participation method, meron tayong sistemang sinusunod kaya hindi pagdududahan, may transparency (Using the Community Participation method, we follow a system. Transparency builds confidence),” Vargas said. He added that this method upholds other procurement principles namely fairness, effectiveness, economy, development of local industry and accountability.

Vargas lectured on the I-REAP Procurement Guidelines, important procurement documents, procurement methods, policies and procedures under CP.

PRDP PSO South Luzon Associate Procurement Officer Clarinda Sarmiento and PRDP-Bicol Procurement Officer Engr. Jesti Bergantin coached the participants on CP templates and forms.

Meanwhile, PRDP PSO South Luzon Deputy Project Director Shandy Hubilla encouraged the proponent group to fast track the procurement and delivery of the remaining items that they need to fully operate their enterprise.

Lucis also mentioned that the CP Method empowers his association.

“Nai-empower kami kasi kami directly yung makikipag-communicate sa supplier so yung aming requirements and specs na kailangan ay nai-explain namin directly (It empowers us because it allows us to communicate directly with the suppliers so we get the chance to explain the requirements and specs (of equipment and supplies) that we need),” he said. Thus, he guaranteed the PRDP that the SOFACoFa will do its part well to ensure the project’s success.

Under PRDP’s procurement guidelines, contracts amounting to 50,000 dollars or P2.5 million are eligible for CP mode of procurement. These include one unit of decorticating machine, carding machine, sieving machine, and baling machine. Other items to be procured by the SOFACoFa are 77 units of twining machine, 17 units of weaving loom, one unit of weighing scale and one hauling truck. (Annielyn L. Baleza, DA-RAFIS V)