Scrutinize the DoTC-LTO Motor Vehicle Plate Standardization Program Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr., Senate Committee on Public Services Chairman, wants the multi-billion DoTC-LTO Motor Vehicle Plate Standardization Program scrutinized, citing reports on irregularities in its implementation. Last May 6, 2013, the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) opened the P3.85 billion bidding for the production of 5.2 million brand new two-piece license plates for motor vehicles and 10 million pieces for motorcycles. Just two days after the bidding, the DoTC announced the disqualification of 6 bidders and the qualification of only 2 – a joint venture between the Spanish company Industrias Samart and Philippine’s Datatrail Corp. as its partner, and another joint venture of a local company Power Plates Development Concepts Inc. and a Dutch firm J Knieriem BV Goes (JKG). However, one of the disqualified bidders, RNA Holdings Inc. decried why it was not given another chance when there was a miscommunication in the documents it submitted, despite its more than 50% cheaper bid than those chosen by the agency. It further protested the false testimonies of bidders when they claimed that they fulfilled a non-existent technical requirement, called “ASTM D 4956 8.5” standard. RNA further asserted that since it is a government rule that bids will be rejected once claims not supported by evidences are made, the DOTC should have dismissed all the bids. By rejecting the RNA Holdings Inc., the Filipino people have just lost P2 billion pesos as their bid for motor vehicles license plates only costs P168.85 per piece, compared to P380 and P388.05 price by the Dutch and Spanish companies respectively; whereas the 10 million pieces of motorcycle plates only cost P46.16 per piece compared to P120 and P128 prices of companies from Netherlands and Spain respectively. This, according to Revilla, is because the 2 qualified bidders intend to produce the plates overseas and not locally. “Kung kaya naman gawin dito sa atin sa parehas o mas maganda pang quality, at sa mas murang halaga, bakit hindi ‘yung dito ang pinili natin? Not only will we save, we will be providing local jobs as well.” “I am aware that we don’t just look at the cost when we purchase materials for the use of Filipino people. However, if RNA’s claims are correct, then the agreement they have entered into is grossly disadvantageous. This merits further scrutiny, lalo pa at mukhang ipapapasan nila sa taumbayan ang gastos na ito,” Revilla said. “Mahigit doble ang halaga ng mga napili ng DoTC. Balewala ba ito sa kanila dahil ipapasa lang naman nila ito sa mga mamamayan?” The Senator also said that he is looking into reports that one of the 2 qualified bidders has already been blacklisted by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in the past front printing and distributing illegal plates. The recently issued Memorandum Circular No. VPT-2013-1772, or the Motor Vehicle License Plates Standardization Program. It outlines the new plate design which will be mandatory for both new and current vehicles. According to the memo, the new license plates, exclusive of other charges, will be P450 for motor vehicles and P120 for motorcycles, which will be paid by vehicle owners upon registration. “Hindi na nga maisaayos ng LTO ang pag-issue ng mga plaka sa mga bagong sasakyan at mga sticker sa mga nagrerehistro, ngayon, gusto nilang palitan pa lahat ng plaka at papasanin ng dagdag at bagong gastusin ang taumbayan,” Revilla added. “Pagkakakitaan pa nila ang mga mamamayan.” Action for Consumerism and Transparency for Nation Building (Action), a private consumer organization, recently disclosed that the qualified Dutch company J Knieriem BV Goes (JKG) appears to have faked its financial documents during the bidding. Accroding to Action, the annual financial statements of JKG from 2008-2011 through JKG’s 2011 Consolidated Financial Statement showed its incapability to undertake the multi-billion program. Its current assets unimpressively were P273M in 2008, P370M in 2009, P427M in 2010, and P256M in 2011. In fact, it had a negative income of P11M in 2011. According to the company’s UK website, it is only composed of 25 employees. “I hope that the DOTC and LTO come clean. How did they come up with the decision? Kapos na kapos na nga ang ating mga kababayan sa mga gastusin, daragdagan pa natin?”
Posted on: Wed, 07 Aug 2013 14:50:03 +0000
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