Ping wants PITC role in govt procurement ‘revisited and stopped’

Not only has it incurred unnecessary expenses amounting to billions of pesos. It has also been rendered redundant.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson thus pointed out the need for several national government agencies to stop using the PITC for their procurement requirements.

In a statement, Lacson also said the government should take a long hard look at involving the PITC in the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.

“Utilizing the PITC for the procurement requirements of several national government agencies may have to be revisited and stopped, not only to save on unnecessary expenses amounting to billions of pesos in delays and commissions or service fees,” Lacson said.

He added the PITC may have “outlived its purpose” with the creation of the Government Procurement Service under the Department of Budget and Management.

“Initially, it was only used to circumvent the procurement of medicines, especially for emergency needs. But later, it has expanded into the procurement of other items like rice,” Lacson said of the PITC.

With these, Lacson said the government must at least think long and hard before tapping the PITC in the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.

“It is only prudent that the government at least take a long hard look at the involvement of the PITC in the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines,” he said.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)