WHEREAS, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines Bids and Awards Committee (NHCP-BAC) invited companies to submit their expression of interest to bid for the project NHCP Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS) with a total Approved Budget Cost (ABC) of Two Million, One Hundred Thousand Pesos Only (PHP 2,100,000.00) through its advertisements on PhilGEPS, and on notices posted at the NHCP premises and at the NHCP Website on 9-15 April 2021;

WHEREAS, four (4) companies, namely (1) Cosmotech Philippines, Inc., (2) Doña Alejandra Inc. (3) My Creative Panda Web Design & Development Consultancy Services Inc. & (4) Vibal Group, Inc. have signified their interest in bidding for the project in question;

WHEREAS, a shortlisting was conducted on 16 April 2021, 9:30 AM at the NHCP Central Office, after which all four companies were deemed eligible and were included in the shortlist of qualified bidders;

WHEREAS, Cosmotech Philippines Inc. notified the NHCP-BAC in a letter dated 5 May 2021 that they will no longer join the bidding for the project in question;

WHEREAS, no bids were received from the three other shortlisted bidders before the 5 May 2021 deadline of submission;

WHEREAS, Section 35 (A) of Republic Act No. 9184 (the Government Procurement Reform Act) states that the BAC shall declare the bidding a failure when no bids are received.

NOW THEREFORE, upon unanimous decision and approval of the NHCP-BAC during its 07 May 2021 deliberation, be it

RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the bidding for the project NHCP Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS) be declared a failure. Consequently, the BAC shall conduct a re-bidding and reposting of said project.

Approved this 07 May 2021:

Download document here.

This Bid Bulletin is issued to modify, amend or clarify items in the issued Bidding Documents for the project:

1. Provision of Termite, Wood Borer and Pest Control Treatment for 27 NHCP Museums

Please be informed of the following information and clarifications:

1. The Pre-Bid Conference scheduled on Friday, 30 April 2021, 9:30 AM is hereby rescheduled later the same day at 1:30 PM. Interested bidders who will join via online videoconferencing may join the virtual meeting room using the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82858785623?pwd=cmRjZHMzcVZNTlRvMWl5N3dDZysrdz09

Meeting ID: 828 5878 5623
Password: 656225

For the guidance of all concerned.

Click here to download document

WHEREAS, The National Historical Commission of the Philippines Bids and Awards Committee (NHCP-BAC) invited qualified companies to bid for the Design, Supply, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of Audio (Sound) and Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Systems, Community FM Transmitter at the Bacon Parish Church (Nuestra Señora de la Annunciata Parish), Bacon District, Sorsogon, with a total ABC of One Million, Six Hundred Thirty-Eight Thousand, Four Hundred Thirty-Seven Pesos and 50/100 (₱ 1,638,437.50), through its advertisements on PhilGEPS, a newspaper of general circulation, and via notices posted at the NHCP premises and at the NHCP website on 1-8 March 2021;

WHEREAS, only one (1) company, Comparts Computer Sales, has signified interest to participate in the bidding and submitted its technical and financial proposals accordingly;

WHEREAS, their submitted bid was opened by the NHCP-BAC on 26 March 2021, 9:30 AM at the NHCP Central Office in T.M. Kalaw Avenue, Ermita, Manila;

WHEREAS, after due evaluation and post-qualification, Comparts Computer Sales submitted the Single Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid with the amount of One Million Five Hundred Ninety-Eight Thousand pesos only (₱ 1,598,000.00);

NOW THEREFORE, upon unanimous decision and approval of the NHCP-BAC during its 26 April 2021 deliberation, be it

RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the project contract for the Design, Supply, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of Audio (Sound) and Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Systems, Community FM Transmitter at Bacon Parish Church (Nuestra Señora de la Annunciata Parish), Bacon District, Sorsogon be awarded to Comparts Computer Sales with the amount of One Million Five Hundred Ninety-Eight Thousand pesos only (₱ 1,598,000.00).

Approved this 26 April 2021:

Download document here.

This Bid Bulletin is issued to modify, amend, or clarify items in the issued Bidding Documents for the project:

NHCP Human Resource Management Information System

Please be informed of the following information and clarifications 

1. Under Part II, Section VI. Terms of Reference, the following are added:

2. Under Part II, Section II. Instruction to Bidders, ITB clause 10.2 (c)(ii, vii, viii) and Part II, Section VI. Terms of Reference, the timeline and work plan can be adjusted and negotiated with the winning contractor, as long as the project will be completed in the indicated duration. If there is any reason for the project’s temporary suspension, the NHCP shall issue a Notice of Work Suspension, and a subsequent Notice of Work Resumption once the suspension is lifted.
3. Under Part II, Section VI. Terms of Reference, evidence that can be presented for the requirement “must have completed HRMIS projects in other government agencies” include completed contracts, certificate of acceptance by the end user, purchase order, and inspection report.
4. Under Part II, Section II. Instruction to Bidders, ITB clause 11 (11.2), all six forms shall be submitted as part of the Financial Proposal. If the Financial forms are not applicable for the bidder’s use, the bidder can put “0” as the amount in the forms.
5. The document “Section VII. Breakdown of Agreed Fixed Rates” is not part of the Financial Proposal envelope, but will be used during the negotiations with the winning bidder.
6. Under Part II, Section VI. Terms of Reference, the product demo will be conducted on 5 May 2021, after the opening of the Technical Proposal envelopes from the bidder. Bidders are expected to include a demo of the modules indicated in the TOR (ex. payroll module). This will be conducted via Zoom video conference, the details and link of which will be emailed to the bidder. In addition, bidders are required to provide the brand and model with photos/brochures of the hardware to be used for the project.
7. The bidders shall be evaluated by the members of the BAC and TWG. The criteria for the evaluation will be as follows:

Personnel Management Module                                         20%

Training and Development Module                                    20%

Time and Attendance with Leave Management Module  20%

Payroll and other Compensation Module                          20%

Generation of Reports                                                         10%

User Interface (user-friendly/ease of access)                   10%

8. Under Part II, Section VII. Bidding Forms (FPF 2. Summary of Costs), the bidder may include labor and materials for the creation of the software.
9. Files, permits, and other similar documents from third parties (ex. Landbank) shall be taken care of and coordinated by the NHCP.
10. Payment terms for the project will be progress billing.
11. Changes on the Bid Schedule of the project:

12. Bid documents can be purchased from the BAC Secretariat in person from 19 April 2021 – 4 May 2021, from 8:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.; and on 5 May 2021 from 8:00 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. until before the opening of the Technical documents.

For the guidance of all concerned.

ROSARIO V. SAPITAN

BAC Chairperson

Click here to download document

WHEREAS, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines Bids and Awards Committee (NHCP-BAC) invited companies to bid for the Restoration of Saint John the Baptist Parish Church (Repair Works) in Bato, Catanduanes, with a total Approved Budget Cost (ABC) of Four Million, Nine Hundred Sixty-Six Thousand, Nine Hundred Fifty Pesos and 70/100 (P 4,966,950.70) through its advertisements on PhilGEPS, a newspaper of general circulation, and on notices posted at the NHCP premises and the NHCP Website on 26 March to 01 April 2021;

WHEREAS, two (2) companies, namely; Dangli Toping Builders and Duamon Construction and Supply, have submitted bids for the project;

WHEREAS, the submitted bids were opened on 20 April 2021, 9:00 AM at the NHCP Boardroom;

WHEREAS, the technical proposal submitted by Dangli Toping Builders did not include a list of construction equipment units (whether owned, leased or under purchase agreements but are yet to be delivered) with their supporting certificates of availability as required in the checklist of bid documents, hence their submitted bid was considered non-compliant;

WHEREAS, upon post-qualification and further evaluation of their financial proposal, it was found that Duamon Construction and Supply did not provide complete estimates on some items in their submitted budgetary cost estimates and bill of quantities and materials, thus, their submitted bid was considered non-responsive.

NOW THEREFORE, upon unanimous decision and approval of the NHCP-BAC during its 23 April 2021 deliberation, be it

RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the bidding for the project Restoration of Saint John the Baptist Parish Church (Repair Works) in Bato, Catanduanes (2^nd Posting) be declared a failure. Consequently, the BAC shall conduct a negotiated procurement for the project

Approved this 23 April 2021:

Download document here.

1. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines, through the 2021 General Appropriations Act, intends to apply the sum of One Million, Four Hundred Twenty-Eight Thousand Pesos (PHP 1,428,000.00) being the ABC to payments under the contract for Procurement of 102 units Office Productivity Suite Software. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines now invites bids for the above Procurement Project. Delivery of the Goods is required within thirty (30) calendar days. Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II (Instructions to Bidders).

3. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 9184.

a. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA No. 5183.

4. Prospective Bidders may obtain further information from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

5. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 23 April 2021 from the given address and website(s) below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos only (PHP 5,000.00) The Procuring Entity shall allow the bidder to present its proof of payment for the fees in person or via e-mail at the e-mail address indicated below.

6. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 3 May 2021 (Monday), 9:30 AM at the NHCP Central Office, T. M. Kalaw Avenue, Ermita, Manila, and/or through video conferencing or webcasting via Zoom, access details of which (i.e. URL, Meeting ID and Password) shall be provided via e-mail to interested bidders one (1) day before. All interested bidders are enjoined to attend and participate.

7. Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat through manual submission at the office address indicated below on or before 17 May 2021 (Monday) at 1:00 PM. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 14.

9. Bid opening shall be on 17 May 2021 (Monday), 1:00 PM at the NHCP Central Office, T. M. Kalaw Avenue, Ermita, Manila, and/or via Zoom, access details of which (i.e. URL, Meeting ID and Password) shall be provided via e-mail to interested bidders one (1) day before. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend the activity.

10. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Sections 35.6 and 41 of the 2016 revised IRR of RA No. 9184, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

11. For further information, please refer to:

Mr. Reinere Policarpio
National Historical Commission of the Philippines
T.M. Kalaw Avenue, Ermita, Manila 1000
E-mail Address: bacnhcp2020@gmail.com
Telephone No: (02) 5335-1212
Facsimile No: (02) 8536-3181
Website: http://www.nhcp.gov.ph

12. You may visit the following website to download Bidding Documents:
http://nhcp.gov.ph/category/nhcp/procurement/bid-opportunities/

20 April 2021

______________________________________
ROSARIO V. SAPITAN
BAC Chairperson

Download bidding documents here.

1. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines, through the 2021 General Appropriations Act, intends to apply the sum of Seven Million, Six Hundred Sixty Thousand Pesos (₱ 7,660,000.00) being the ABC to payments under the contract for Procurement of ICT Equipment (CY 2021). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines now invites bids for the above Procurement Project. Delivery of the Goods is required within sixty (60) calendar days. Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II (Instructions to Bidders).

3. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 9184.

a. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA No. 5183.

4. Prospective Bidders may obtain further information from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

5. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 23 April 2021 from the given address and website(s) below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Ten Thousand Pesos only (₱ 10,000.00) The Procuring Entity shall allow the bidder to present its proof of payment for the fees in person or via e-mail at the e-mail address indicated below.

6. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 03 May 2021 (Monday), 9:30 AM at the NHCP Central Office, T. M. Kalaw Avenue, Ermita, Manila, and/or through video conferencing or webcasting via Zoom, access details of which (i.e., URL, Meeting ID and Password) shall be provided via e-mail to interested bidders one (1) day before. All interested bidders are enjoined to attend and participate.

7. Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat through manual submission at the office address indicated below on or before 17 May 2021 (Monday) at 9:30 AM. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 14.

9. Bid opening shall be on 17 May 2021 (Monday), 9:30 AM at the NHCP Central Office, T. M. Kalaw Avenue, Ermita, Manila, and/or via Zoom, access details of which (i.e., URL, Meeting ID and Password) shall be provided via e-mail to interested bidders one (1) day before. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend the activity.

10. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Sections 35.6 and 41 of the 2016 revised IRR of RA No. 9184, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

11. For further information, please refer to:

Mr. Reinere Policarpio
National Historical Commission of the Philippines
T.M. Kalaw Avenue, Ermita, Manila 1000
E-mail Address: bacnhcp2020@gmail.com
Telephone No: (02) 5335-1212
Facsimile No: (02) 8536-3181
Website: http://www.nhcp.gov.ph

12. You may visit the following website to download Bidding Documents:
http://nhcp.gov.ph/category/nhcp/procurement/bid-opportunities/

20 April 2021

______________________________________
ROSARIO V. SAPITAN
BAC Chairperson

Download bidding documents here.

1. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines, through the 2021 General Appropriations Act, intends to apply the sum of One Million, Three Hundred Sixty-Six Thousand, Two Hundred Pesos (PHP 1,366,200.00) being the ABC to payments under the contract for the project Provision of Termite, Wood Borer & Pest Control Treatment for Twenty-Seven (27) NHCP Museums. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines now invites bids for the above Procurement Project. Delivery of the Goods is required within ninety (90) days and every ninety (90) days or three (3) months thereafter, for a period of one (1) year. Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II (Instructions to Bidders).

3. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 9184.

a. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA No. 5183.

4. Prospective Bidders may obtain further information from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

5. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 21 April 2021 from the given address and website(s) below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (PHP 5,000.00). The Procuring Entity shall allow the bidder to present its proof of payment for the fees in person and via e-mail.

6. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 30 April 2021 (Friday), 9:30 AM at the NHCP Central Office, T.M. Kalaw Avenue, Ermita, Manila, and/or through video conferencing or webcasting via Zoom, access details of which (i.e. URL, Meeting ID and Password) shall be provided via e-mail to interested bidders one (1) day before. All interested bidders are enjoined to attend and participate.

7. Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat through manual submission at the office address indicated below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 14.

9. Bid opening shall be on 14 May 2021 (Friday), 9:30 AM at the given address below and/or via Zoom, access details of which (i.e. URL, Meeting ID and Password) shall be provided via e-mail to interested bidders one (1) day before. All interested bidders are enjoined to attend and participate. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend the activity.

10. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Sections 35.6 and 41 of the 2016 revised IRR of RA No. 9184, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

11. For further information, please refer to:

Mr. Reinere Policarpio and/or Miss Carolle Adrianne Manalastas
National Historical Commission of the Philippines
T.M. Kalaw Avenue, Ermita, Manila 1000
E-mail Address: bacnhcp2020@gmail.com
Telephone No: (02) 5335-1212
Facsimile No: (02) 8536-3181
Website: http://www.nhcp.gov.ph

12. You may visit the following website to download Bidding Documents:
http://nhcp.gov.ph/category/nhcp/procurement/bid-opportunities/

16 April 2021

______________________________________
ROSARIO V. SAPITAN
BAC Chairperson

Download bidding documents here.

1. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), through the General Appropriations Act 2021 intends to apply the sum of Php 2,100,000.00 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for NHCP Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at the opening of the financial proposals.

2. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) now calls for the submission of eligibility documents for NHCP Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS). Eligibility documents of interested consultants must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat on or before 16 April 2021, 9:30 A.M. at Records Section, Ground Floor, NHCP Building, T.M. Kalaw Street Ermita, Manila. Applications for eligibility will be evaluated based on a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion.

3. Interested bidders may obtain further information from National Historical Commission of the Philippines and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

4. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 19 April 2021 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Php 5,000.00. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

5. The BAC shall draw up the short list of consultants from those who have submitted Expression of Interest, including the eligibility documents, and have been determined as eligible in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The short list shall consist of at least three prospective bidders who will be entitled to submit bids. The criteria and rating system for short listing are:

The minimum standard to pass is Seventy Percent (70%)

6. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the IRR of RA 9184.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

7. The Procuring Entity shall evaluate bids using the Quality Based Evaluation/Selection (QBE/QBS) procedure. The criteria and rating system for the evaluation of bids shall be provided in the Instructions to Bidders.

8. The contract shall be completed within ninety (90) calendar days.

9. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

10. For further information, please refer to:
Carolle Adrianne Manalastas
BAC Secretariat
National Historical Commssion of the Philippines
T.M. Kalaw Street Ermita, Manila
Telephone number: 5335-1212
Fax number: 8536-3181
Email address: bacnhcp2020@gmail.com

ROSARIO V. SAPITAN
BAC Chairperson

Download document here.

By Francis Kristoffer L. Pasion, Museum Researcher II

Portrait of Epifanio de los Santos by H.A. Coniconde

Most of us associate the name “Epifanio de los Santos” to that main thoroughfare in Metro Manila, the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, or EDSA. The name has effectively been overshadowed by the toxicity of the traffic that was known to have emanated from the street, which used to be called Highway 54. Even the historical events of 1986 that happened there that ousted the Marcos dictatorship indirectly contributed to the relegation of the name “Epifanio de los Santos” to a mere footnote. But who was the man behind the name?

On 7 April 1871, one hundred fifty years ago, Epifanio de los Santos y Cristobal was born in Malabon, Rizal to the wealthy couple, Escolastico de los Santos and Antonina Cristobal y Tongco. His father was an alumnus of Ateneo de Municipal and was a haciendero, while his mother, a skilled musician, was educated at the Colegio de la Consolacion. The privilege he was raised into would not blind him to the cause of emancipation. Instead, as we would see, Epifanio would use this privilege to give back something of value to his people.

It was clear that his parents’ love of learning was inculcated in him. Like his father before him, Epifanio was enrolled at the Ateneo de Municipal, and like his mother, tried his hand on music and the arts, even painting. It was well known, according to his contemporary Rafael Palma, how he became an avid collector of flora and fauna in Nueva Ecija, and befriended the locals, seeking the names of these plants and finding out their medicinal properties. Everything changed when he enrolled in the Universidad de Santo Tomas, where he decided to take up Law. It may have been influenced by the changing zeitgeist, as his contemporaries on campus were those who would become Filipino leaders campaigning for reform. It was here when Epifanio began exploring Spanish literature. He was enamored by the writings of the liberal diplomat and author Juan Valera and was greatly influenced by his ideas of equality and the honest assessment of the human condition. He also explored German, French, and ancient Greek literature, which further expanded his knowledge. He finished Law in March 1898.

While not having been involved directly in the first half of the Revolution, he was an active participant of its second half, upon Emilio Aguinaldo’s call to resume it in 1898. De los Santos wrote for the Malabon newspaper Libertad, and even became an editor of Antonio Luna’s newspaper, La Independencia. He was also an avid columnist for El Renacimiento, La Democracia, La Patria, and Malaysia.

Editorial staff of La Independencia, with Epifanio de los Santos standing at the back,
second from the right, c. 1898.

In September 1898, De los Santos was elected as one of the three representatives of Nueva Ecija in the Malolos Congress, that body that ratified the Proclamation of Independence, and drafted, ratified and promulgated the constitution of the First Philippine Republic in early 1899.

But even when the Republic’s congress capitulated amidst the Philippine-American War, Epifanio de los Santos began his practice of Law in April 1900, and in 1902 tried his hand on politics, as he was elected governor of Nueva Ecija. Never forgetting the aspiration for independence, even under the American dispensation, De los Santos fought for it in the realm of knowledge. Hence, he faded from the public scene for a while, and began his lone journey in the libraries and archives of Europe to find the rarest documents and ephemera on the Philippines. Upon his return, De Los Santos continued to dispense his office as governor. Even as he became the provincial fiscal of Bulacan and Bataan in 1906, as a true passionate scholar, with the documents he had retrieved, De los Santos began to write on the history and literature of the country. He became known as a pioneering Filipiniana collector and historian.

His home in Intramuros was a famous Filipiniana home library where the rarest books & materials not found even in Europe or the U.S. Library of Congress could be found. It also became a haven for Filipino literary luminaries—Cecilio Apóstol, Fernando Ma. Guerrero, José & Rafael Palma, Lope K. Santos, Jaime de Veyra, Macario Pineda, etc.

Tirelessly, De los Santos published numerous books on Philippine history, literature, and culture, with some of his works delving even into the socio-political issues of his day— Algo de Prosa (1901), Literatura Tagala (1911), El Proceso del Dr. José Rizal (1914), The Tagalog Theater, Folklore Musical de Filipinas (1920), Criminality in the Philippines 1903-1908, Fraudes electorales y sus remedios, and authoritative biographies of Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, and Ignacio Villamor. He even had Francisco Balagtas’ Tagalog literary classic, Florante at Laura translated in Spanish in 1916, attempting, albeit successfully, to preserve its lyrical poetry from Tagalog to the Spanish language.

As such, given his proven rigors of scholarship, U.S. Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison, who sympathized with the Filipinization of positions in the American government in the Philippines, appointed him the technical director of the Philippine Census done in 1918, and published in 1921.

Upon his colleague Trinidad Pardo de Tavera’s death on 26 March 1925, U.S. Governor-General Leonard Wood appointed De Los Santos as the new director of the Philippine Library and Museum (the precursor to the National Library and the National Museum) on 16 May 1925. He passed away in 1928.

His immense contribution to Philippine studies cannot be underestimated. While overshadowed by his other contemporaries, his was an expansive pioneering endeavor in Philippine scholarship. His work seen through numerous monographs, writings, and collated collection marked his passion and drive to bring out the identity and intellectual heritage of the Filipino and proudly share it to the world. It is no wonder that Epifanio de los Santos was an acknowledged genius, recognized even by his foreign contemporaries like the Spanish writer Wenceslao Retana. De los Santos’ mastery of several languages was legendary, in that he would be accorded the honor of being the first Filipino to become a member of the Real Academia Española, the Spanish royal institution dedicated to the stability and preservation of the Spanish language.

In 1959, his prominence as “Filipino scholar, jurist and historian of his time” moved Congress to pass Republic Act No. 2140, naming the main highway along Metro Manila, Highway 54, to Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA).

On his 150th birth anniversary, we commemorate Epifanio de los Santos’ life and legacy that exemplifies the insatiable thirst for learning and achievement, driven by an all-consuming love for the Nation that bequeathed to him a proud heritage of freedom.

WHEREAS, The National Historical Commission of the Philippines Bids and Awards Committee (NHCP-BAC) invited qualified companies to bid for the Design, Development and Restoration of Molo Plaza, Molo, Iloilo, with a total Approved Budget Cost (ABC) of Twenty-Four Million, One Hundred Twenty-Five pesos only (₱ 24,125,000.00) through its advertisements on PhilGEPS, a newspaper of general circulation, and via notices posted at the NHCP premises and at the NHCP website on 5-11 March 2021;

WHEREAS, three companies, namely (1) 401 Development & Construction Corporation, (2) J.S. Lim Construction & Trading, and (3) Micro-Asia Builders Corporation have signified their interest to participate in the bidding and submitted their technical and financial proposals accordingly;

WHEREAS, the submitted sealed bids were opened on 26 March 2020, 3:00 PM, at the NHCP Central Office in Manila, with representatives from each company observing the proceedings via online videoconferencing;

WHEREAS, upon the opening of their submitted bids by the NHCP-BAC, the three bidders, all of which were determined as compliant with all criteria for post-qualification, have submitted the following bid prices:

• 401 Development & Construction Corp.             ₱ 18,624,888.02
• S. Lim Construction & Trading                         ₱ 20,528,527.80
• Micro-Asia Builders Corporation                         ₱ 20,988,750.00

(discounted from ₱ 24,085,808.14)

WHEREAS, after evaluation and post qualification, the company with the lowest bid price, 401 Development & Construction Corporation is determined capable of implementing the project and has satisfactorily met the requirements of the project based on the technical proposal they presented;

WHEREAS, after evaluation and post qualification, 401 Development & Construction Corporation submitted the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid with the amount of Eighteen Million, Six Hundred Twenty-Four Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty-Eight Pesos and 2/100 (₱ 18,624,888.02).

NOW THEREFORE, upon unanimous decision and approval of the NHCP-BAC during its 5 April 2021 deliberation, be it

RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the project contract for the Design, Development and Restoration of Molo Plaza, Molo, Iloilo, be awarded to 401 Development & Construction Corporation with the amount of Eighteen Million, Six Hundred Twenty-Four Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty-Eight Pesos and 2/100 (₱ 18,624,888.02).

Approved this 5 April 2021:

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WHEREAS, The National Historical Commission of the Philippines Bids and Awards Committee (NHCP-BAC) invited qualified companies to bid for the Design, Development and Restoration of Jaro Belfry and other Historic Structures in the Jaro Plaza, Jaro, Iloilo, with a total Approved Budget Cost of Thirty-Three Million, Seven Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand pesos only (₱ 33,775,000.00) through its advertisements on PhilGEPS, a newspaper of general circulation, and via notices posted at the NHCP premises and at the NHCP website on 5-11 March 2021;

WHEREAS, three companies, namely (1) 401 Development & Construction Corporation, (2) J.S. Lim Construction & Trading, and (3) Micro-Asia Builders Corporation have signified their interest to participate in the bidding and submitted their technical and financial proposals accordingly;

WHEREAS, the submitted sealed bids were opened on 26 March 2020, 3:00 PM, at the NHCP Central Office in Manila, with representatives from each company observing the proceedings via online videoconferencing;

WHEREAS, upon the opening of their submitted bids by the NHCP-BAC, the three bidders, all of which were determined as compliant with all criteria for post-qualification, have submitted the following bid prices:

• 401 Development & Construction Corp.             ₱ 26,248,888.35
• S. Lim Construction & Trading                         ₱ 30,395,329.50
• Micro-Asia Builders Corporation                         ₱ 33,734,467.42

WHEREAS, after evaluation and post qualification, the company with the lowest bid price, 401 Development & Construction Corporation is determined capable of implementing the project and has satisfactorily met the requirements of the project based on the technical proposal they presented;

WHEREAS, after evaluation and post qualification, 401 Development & Construction Corporation submitted the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid with the amount of Twenty-Six Million, Two Hundred Forty-Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty-Eight Pesos and 35/100 (₱ 26,248,888.35).

NOW THEREFORE, upon unanimous decision and approval of the NHCP-BAC during its 5 April 2021 deliberation, be it

RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the project contract for the Design, Development and Restoration of Jaro Belfry and other Historic Structures in the Jaro Plaza, Jaro, Iloilo be awarded to 401 Development & Construction Corporation in the amount of Twenty-Six Million, Two Hundred Forty-Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty-Eight Pesos and 35/100 (₱ 26,248,888.35).

Approved this 5 April 2021:

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