• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The construction of the new Negros Occidental Provincial Administration Center (PAC) in Bacolod City has apparently ground to a halt due to reported funding problems, raising concerns over the delayed completion of the nearly P1-billion provincial government project.
The construction of the new PAC, which started in 2024, is being undertaken by Dynamic Builders and Construction Company.
The project was previously targeted for completion in March 2026, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II earlier said.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Thursday, Aug. 13 the construction of the new PAC appeared to have stopped as the building being built is almost completed.
Lacson said the provincial government has demanded an explanation from the contractor.
While the provincial government has no outstanding debt to the contractor, Lacson said the apparent problem is related to the exhaustion of the contractor’s budget.
The provincial government is also looking into the possibility of imposing penalties for the delayed completion of the project.
“We have to hear first what is the status of the project, if financially matapos nila, or not,” he said. “Whatever the contract says, they will have to follow that.”
Meanwhile, Dynamic Builders and Construction Company has maintained that it remains committed to completing the project.
In a statement, the contractor said it has secured adequate funding to ensure the uninterrupted resumption of construction works and completion of the project within the current year.
“We remain steadfast in upholding quality standards, compliance with all applicable regulations, and timely delivery of this important public infrastructure,” Dynamic Builders consultant Nelson Infante said.
Lacson acknowledged that there was an earlier delay on the part of the provincial government when they proposed to transfer the project to another site.
He, however, said the province could not simply transfer the project without going through another public bidding process.
The governor said the initial delay was therefore attributable to the province, but the situation has since changed.
“While there was a delay when it started, because of the idea of changing the site, now, the delay no longer [comes] from the province, but on their part (contractor),” Lacson said. | GPB
