The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Tuesday assured timely and compliant procurement transactions with its suppliers.

This is in response to the commission’s alleged unpaid Association of Southeast Asian Nations-related souvenir procurement transaction with a local supplier for about nine months.

In an interview, CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis stressed the agency’s strict compliance with government procurement guidelines.

“Records show that we pay our suppliers on time, but if there are suppliers that cannot submit their documents or give verification on the documents— then we cannot cut corners and expedite the payment,” she said.

The CHED chief said the matter must be carefully reviewed to ensure compliance on their and the suppliers’ end.

“Dapat matingnan nang maiigi kasi (It must be thoroughly reviewed), if we pay the suppliers because it has viraled already in the media, then baka (maybe) it will create a precedent — that even if the supplier does not comply with the requirements as prescribed by the GPPB or procurement law, then we are forced to pay,” Agrupis said.

Earlier, the Office of the CHED chairperson vowed to directly review the matter as the transaction was handled by CHED Regional Office 4. (PNA)