Memorandum Order No. 145, issued on August 17, 2004, authorizes the Secretary of National Defense to approve foreign travels for members of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officers. This provision is intended to facilitate post-qualification processes related to the procurement of equipment and weapon systems under the AFP Modernization Program, as mandated by Republic Act No. 7898 and Congressional Joint Resolution No. 28. The order stipulates that such travel should not exceed five days, must involve a limited group of officers, and requires available funding from DND/AFP appropriations. Additionally, it repeals any inconsistent prior regulations and takes immediate effect.
August 17, 2004
MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 145
AUTHORIZING THE SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE TO APPROVE CERTAIN FOREIGN TRAVELS OF DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE/ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES OFFICERS
WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 9184 instituted reforms in the procurement activities of Government;
WHEREAS, the Implementing Rules and Regulations, Part A of Republic Act No. 9184, prescribe that within a period of seven (7) days after the determination by the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Lowest Calculated Bid, the post-qualification of the winning bidder must be completed;
WHEREAS, the Department of National Defense-Armed Forces of the Philippines (DND-AFP) has determined that most of the equipment/weapons systems sought to be acquired/upgraded under the Capability, Materiel, and Technology Development component of the AFP Modernization Program under Republic Act No. 7898 and Congressional Joint Resolution No. 28 dated 19 December 1996 are likely to be sourced from foreign countries;
WHEREAS, Presidential issuances presently require that foreign travels of government officials and employees, including AFP uniformed personnel, are subject to the approval of the Office of the President; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to rationalize policies covering the foreign travels of BAC members and DND/AFP Officers charged with the conduct of post-qualification relative to the procurement activities of DND/AFP. aSTcCE
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:
SECTION 1. The Secretary of National Defense is hereby authorized to approve foreign travels of BAC Members and DND/AFP Representatives for the purpose of conducting post-qualification relative to procurement activities for the acquisition/upgrade of equipment/weapon systems under Republic Act No. 7898 and Congressional Joint Resolution No. 28, s. 1996, provided that:
a. The post-qualification party shall be composed of not more than five (5) Officers, as follows:
Chairman or Vice Chairman of the BAC or its duly designated Representative
Operations Officer of the BAC or Technical Working Group Member or Project Management Team Member
Financial or Legal Officer of the BAC
Defense Modernization Office, DND Representative
Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Capability, Materiel and Technology Development, J9, AFP Representative
b. Foreign travel related to the conduct of post-qualification shall not exceed five (5) days, excluding travel time; and
c. Funds are available chargeable against DND/AFP appropriations.
SECTION 2. Foreign travel related to the conduct of post-qualification should be limited only to the methods of procurement where the conduct of post-qualification is an indispensable procedural requirement. SCaITA
SECTION 3. All executive orders, administrative rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this order are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
SECTION 4. This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately. CDTAbench
DONE in the City of Manila, this 17th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Four.