STRICT OBSERVANCE OF THE ANNUAL PROCUREMENT PLAN

It has been reported, through the Procurement Planning Committee (PPC), that some offices of the Supreme Court (SC), including the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA), have requested the procurement of supplies and equipment that are not included in the Approved Annual Procurement Plan (AAPP). To grant these requests would be to disrupt the meticulous and judicious planning of the PPC and to defeat the purpose of an annual procurement plan.

Accordingly, the Chief Justice reiterates the second paragraph of Section 7 of Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act, which provides: "No government procurement shall be undertaken unless it is in accordance with the Approved Annual Procurement Plan of the Procuring Entity."

Additionally, all offices of the SC, including the OCA, are reminded of their duty to actively participate and cooperate with the PPC in the preparation of the Annual Procurement Plan by submitting their proposed procurement plan to be used as a basis for the budget proposal.

Likewise, it must be stressed that consistent with government fiscal discipline measures, only supplies and equipment that are crucial or necessary to the efficient discharge of governmental functions shall be included in the Procurement Plan.

In exceptional circumstances where the requesting office urgently needs supplies and equipment which have not been included in the Approved Annual Procurement Plan, the request must contain a fully satisfactory justification and be coursed through the PPC for its study and evaluation. The PPC shall, in turn, submit a report and recommendation for consideration by the Chief Justice.

Strict compliance is hereby enjoined.

   Issued this 13^th day of February 2004.