SORSOGON Governor Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero has urged both the national and local officials to secure all health-related purchases before the procurement ban takes effect during the election period.
Escudero, who was seeking a Senate seat again in the May 2022 national elections, made the appeal on Tuesday as the campaign period approached.
He said concerned officials should start buying health-related goods and services to ensure that the procurement ban does not hamper the country’s response against Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).
He reminded heads of key agencies in charge of managing the pandemic response and local chief executives that from March 25 to May 8, no notices of award can be issued to new projects related to housing, public works and social welfare, in accordance with Circular 03-2021 of the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB).
“It is up to department heads, mayors and governors to ensure that the 2022 elections would not paralyze Covid-19 management, especially with Omicron triggering an increase in infections to over 25,000 daily,” Escudero said.
In a statement, the comebacking senator said “efficient and effective pandemic response should not stop just because there is a ban on procurement.”
He noted that Sorsogon, which is on Alert Level 3, has started procuring home care kits as early as 2020, which the provincial government distributes to its Covid-19-positive constituents, along with information on home-based care for mild and asymptomatic cases.
The proactive approach has paid off as hospital occupancy in the province remained low despite the rise in Covid-19 cases, Escudero stressed.
He urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to consider allowing social welfare projects such as free Covid-19 testing and teleconsultations and other forms of assistance to those affected by the pandemic to continue even during the campaign period.
“These are desperate times, and the benefits of these services far outweigh the need to insulate such activities from perceived political partisanship,” Escudero said.
