Why Did LTO Spend P68K Per Unit for Defective Breathalyzers? LTO's P51 Million Procurement Scandal

 

LTO's P51 Million Procurement Scandal: Overpriced and Defective Equipment Returned

Manila, Philippines – A recent Senate hearing, led by Senator Raffy Tulfo, unveiled troubling details about a P51 million procurement by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for fertilizer and breathalyzer units, which were found to be both overpriced and defective. These issues have led to the equipment being returned by recipients such as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Overpriced Breathalyzer Under Scrutiny

During the hearing, Senator Raffy Tulfo expressed deep concern over the inflated price of the breathalyzer units, each costing P68,000. This amount is significantly higher than the market price for similar breathalyzers in other countries, such as the United States, where prices range from P5,000 to P14,000. In Thailand and China, prices are even lower. Senator Tulfo questioned the LTO's procurement process, hinting at possible mishandling or corruption.

LTO representatives admitted that they would need to consult their procurement team for more detailed information, as they were not directly involved in the purchasing decisions. "We are just the end-user, Mr. Chair," one LTO representative explained.

Defective Units Distributed and Returned

The overpriced breathalyzer units were initially distributed to various LTO regional offices, as well as to the MMDA and PNP. However, MMDA and PNP representatives reported that they returned the units due to calibration issues. Attorney Romando Artes of the MMDA recounted an incident where the late Chairman Danilo Lim tested the breathalyzer units by having one of his security personnel consume alcohol, only to find that the breathalyzer registered a zero alcohol level, indicating a malfunction.

All 215 units distributed to the MMDA and 50 units given to the PNP were subsequently returned to the LTO. "We returned all of them, Your Honor," Artes confirmed, explaining that the equipment was unusable due to its defects.

COA Flags P51 Million Worth of Unused Equipment

The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the LTO for having P51 million worth of equipment, including the breathalyzer units, sitting unused in their stockrooms. Senator Tulfo emphasized that this wastage of public funds was unacceptable and demanded accountability. He also criticized the LTO's plan to procure new breathalyzer units without first addressing the issues from the previous procurement.

Future Procurement Plans Questioned

As the hearing concluded, Senator Tulfo urged the LTO to resolve the problems stemming from the initial procurement before considering any new purchases. He requested a comprehensive report on the status of the returned units and the specifications of the equipment that had been procured. "We need to fix the mess from the first procurement before anyone can be held accountable," Senator Tulfo stated firmly, warning against rushing into further procurements without proper oversight.

The Senate is expected to call for another hearing to continue investigating this issue and to ensure that public funds are used responsibly and effectively.