Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 298)
The primary policy is that government contracts for public services or for furnishing supplies, materials, and equipment to the Government must be submitted to public bidding before being awarded.
No, the Order prohibits the automatic renewal of government contracts after expiration without again calling for public bidding, except for very extraordinary reasons with proper approvals.
The Auditor General, the Secretary of Justice, and the Secretary of the Department concerned must be consulted, and the President’s approval must be secured beforehand.
The Purchasing Agent may purchase without public bidding if the supplies are urgently needed to meet an emergency involving loss of or danger to life and/or property or if the items are for a project/activity that cannot be delayed without detriment to public service, or if the items are sold by an exclusive dealer or manufacturer with no suitable substitutes at better terms.
The Purchasing Agent must conduct a thorough canvass of the market before making purchases without public bidding in emergency cases.
Yes, it applies to the Philippine Government and all its branches, subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities.
Yes, exceptions are allowed for very extraordinary reasons with necessary consultations and approvals, urgent emergencies, and purchases from exclusive dealers with no substitutes.
Department Orders Nos. 73 and 74 of the former Department of Commerce and Communications, as well as provisions of Department Order No. 2, dated January 14, 1936, of the Department of Finance, remain in full force and effect.
Executive Order No. 16, dated February 3, 1936, as amended by Executive Order No. 98, dated April 24, 1937, were revoked.
Executive Order No. 298 was promulgated by President Manuel L. Quezon on August 12, 1940.