The World Bank has recognized the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP) for its generally strong procurement performance while identifying areas for improvement, particularly in the completeness and timeliness of procurement documentation uploaded to the Bank’s Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP) and Contract Management System (CMS) platforms.
World Bank Procurement Specialist Mario Orilla presented his observations during the exit meeting concluding the Project’s three-day Post-Procurement Review (PPR) covering eight randomly selected MIADP subprojects implemented across Mindanao.
Orilla noted that, on average, MIADP’s procurement processing timeline is within 90 days, closely aligned with the project’s 89-day benchmark. He also cited the participation of an average of three bidders per procurement, indicating a generally healthy level of competition.
“In terms of the processing timeline and participation rate, these are relatively good, but I would challenge you to improve them further,” Orilla said.
While recognizing these positive results, the World Bank also identified documentation gaps that need to be addressed. Among the documents noted as not yet completely uploaded to STEP were PhilGEPS postings of the Invitation to Bid (ITB) and Notice of Award, minutes of pre-bid conferences, and draft Philippine Bidding Documents (PBDs). The documents, however, were reportedly available in the local files of the respective process holders.
The Bank further emphasized the need to update the CARI, Notice to Proceed (NTP), and payment documents in the CMS. The updating and strengthening of subproject roadmaps, particularly the identification of realistic timelines and deliverables, were also highlighted as areas requiring attention.
The PPR is conducted by the World Bank periodically to assess whether the Borrower—in this case, the Philippine Government through the Department of Agriculture—is complying with applicable World Bank procurement requirements, procedures, and standards.
In response to the identified gaps, Deputy Project Director Noel T. Provido said MIADP has initiated measures to improve planning and delivery monitoring by bringing together contractors, LGU procuring entities, and Component 2 engineers to establish more realistic targets and timelines for subproject implementation.
The exit meeting was attended by Provido, MIADP Procurement Head Sherwin B. Manual, PSO procurement specialists and officers and their regional counterparts who participated virtually.
