The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center of the Philippines disagreed with a newspaper article saying that the PPP project of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is a “midnight deal.” On Friday, June 10, 2016, bidders will submit their bids for Phase 2 of PSA’s Civil Registry System Information Technology Project. The contract is expected to be awarded on July 26, 2016.
According to Andre Palacios, PPP Center Executive Director, “This project is definitely not a midnight deal for PSA. PSA is an independent statutory agency whose head has a fixed term until 2019. She will stay beyond June 30.”
The PPP Center explained that the PPP contract for Phase 1 of the IT project was set to expire in 2012 and was extended to 2015. The PSA obtained NEDA Board approval for the Phase 2 of the IT project in July 2015. The procurement process began in September 2015. According to PSA’s original procurement schedule, the contract should have been awarded by February 2016.
“This project is urgently needed and the concessionaire should be on board by September 2016,” said Palacios.
The PPP center explained that the current PPP contract for Phase 1 of PSA’s IT project has been extended a second time until March 2017. The contract for Phase 2 must be signed by September 2016 to allow for a 6-month transition period. The transition period will ensure a seamless transfer to the new contractor without disruption in the IT services of providing official copies of civil registry documents.
“We need to avoid disruption in PSA’s civil registry services. Imagine if an OFW needs an official copy of his birth certificate, but will have to wait several days, instead of an hour, because PSA failed to complete this procurement. This will cause tremendous inconvenience to the public.”
The PPP Center also engaged reputable international consultants to assist the Government in conducting a credible bidding process.
According to Palacios, “The PSA has an international consulting firm to make sure that the process is legal, fair, and will deliver high quality public service. Filipinos applying for official copies of their birth certificates, marriage contracts, and other civil registry documents need fast, reliable and reasonably priced service.”
