• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez has asked the Sangguniang Panlungsod for authority to sign the contract of agreement between the City of Bacolod and Legacy Construction Corporation/M.K.U. Construction and Supply, for the construction of the legislative building, worth P515 million.
The SP received Benitez’s letter-request and a copy of the proposed contract Nov. 8, and the Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Good Government, chaired by Councilor Al Victor Espino, formally accepted the correspondence during the sanggunian session that afternoon.
Under the proposed contract, the city government issued the Notice of Award, dated Sept. 20, 2023 to the Manila-based contractor, who re-affirmed its intention and willingness to undertake the Design and Build project Oct. 12.
“The contractor shall start mobilization within 10 days from receipt of a Notice of Proceed from the city,” the proposed contract said, adding the project shall be completed within 840 calendar days, inclusive of Saturdays and Sundays, or about two years and three months, from receipt of the Notice to Proceed.
The city shall pay a down payment equivalent to 15 percent of the contract price, or P77 million, upon posting by the contractor of the down payment bond, it added.
The construction of the legislative building at the back of the Bacolod Government Center is among the priorities of the Benitez administration, and is part of the 17 projects to be funded by the P4.4 billion loan of the city from the Development Bank of the Philippines.
Benitez posted a video of the architect’s perspective for the legislative building on his Facebook Nov. 18 last year, and said the new edifice aims to provide wider office spaces and accommodation for the vice mayor, councilors, and SP secretariat and support staff.
“Tungod naga-gutok na ang mga opisina sa BCGC (Bacolod City Government Center), kinahanglan maka-provide man kita sang dugang nga lugar para makatrabaho sang mas maayo ang mga empleyado sang syudad kag makahatag sila sang nagakaigo nga serbisyo para sa mga pumuluyo,” the mayor had explained. | CGC
