• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The question was asked by Santa Rosa City Lone District Rep. Dan Fernandez in connection with the construction of the P500-million Silay City Government Center.
Fernandez was among the legislators who joined the panel during the inquiry conducted by the House committee on public accounts chaired by Abang Lingkod party list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano on Monday (Nov. 11).
Based on the revelations of the resource speakers, the Silay City Government Center bidding amount was P499.950 million.
However, the documents submitted by the winning bidder, Silver Dragon Construction and Lumber and Glass Supply Inc., stated that the total estimated project cost was P316.9 million.
Architect Geovannie Guzon, city planning and development officer, admitted that he overlooked the portion of the computation, saying that he will consult the one who computed the amount in his office.
“It was a mistake on our part,” Guzon said.
Fernandez added: “I know the project was P500 million, then I will sign the P316 million. Mag-iisip na ako. Why is this?”
When asked by Fernandez, Mayor Joedith Gallego claimed he is not aware of the figures.
He said that he will order a recomputation.
Fernandez raised concerns that the materials that will be used might be substandard as the budget has been reduced.
The Silay City Government Center project, which has yet to secure a building permit, has been issued a notice of violation by the Office of the Building Official.
Engr. Elmer Kent Torres, city building official, said that the project started two months ago without a building permit.
Based on the testimonies of the resource persons, “it is very clear that there were certain violations in the process,” Paduano said.
During the hearing, Paduano relinquished his seat as presiding officer to Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop.
Paduano, who is also the caretaker of Negros Occidental Third District, including Silay City, said that the outcome of the hearing is not yet conclusive as more hearings will still be conducted.
Moreover, he noted the contradicting statements of Gallego and City Legal Office head Janus Jarder.
Gallego claimed that the processing of loans with Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) is very slow, prompting them to pursue the loan with Land Bank of the Philippines.
Jarder, however, said that the interest rate of Land Bank was being matched by the DBP.
Paduano said that he is puzzled by the city government’s withdrawal from the DBP loan. | GB
