By MAE SINGUAY

Due to the new procurement law, the release of the free school supplies for public elementary school pupils in Bacolod City will be delayed.

The deferment was due to the implementation of the Republic Act (RA) 12009, or the New Government Procurement Act of 2024, which will further improve and modernize the local government unit’s procurement system.

RA 12009 amended RA 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act of 2003.

Bacolod Councilor Al Victor Espino explained yesterday that the implementing rules and regulations of the new procurement law caused the delay in the release of the supplies.

“We admit our mistakes when we commit them,” Espino said, referring to his earlier statement that the city government will distribute the bags and school supplies during the opening of classes on June 16.

“The ball is now rolling. On May 14, the documents for the bidding process were submitted to the Bids and Award Committee, so that they can start the procurement process,” the councilor-elect added.

The local school board will discuss the matter with Espino in a meeting today.

He said the bidding process will only start pending the release of the revised bidding documents by the Government Procurement Policy Board.

He said the school supplies will not be released on the target date of June 16.

The free school supplies program was based on City Ordinance No. 9-16-787, or the free school bags and supplies for public elementary school students, with an annual allocation of P15 million.

This year, the city government allocated P32 million for the procurement due to the rising prices of school supplies.

The Special Education Fund has augmented the allocation from the ordinance./MS, WDJ