City eyes completion of market construction

CEBU, Philippines — Before the election ban on infrastructure projects will take effect, the Cebu City government is eyeing to conduct a public bidding to complete the unfinished three-story building of the Carbon Market Unit II.

City Market Administrator Winefredo Orcullo said the building lacks divisions and walls.  This would cost around P62 million.

“Pangitaan gyud na nato ug paagi unsaon. Kay daghan mag legal hitches pa diha,” said Orcullo, adding that he already met up with the city administrator’s office to find a solution.

The building is expected to accommodate over 300 vendors.

The reconstruction of Unit II has been halted several times due to legal disputes spanning several years.

In 1998, a fire destroyed Carbon Market Unit 2.  Reconstruction for the first phase started in 2013, and was expected to be finished in 360 days.

However, the construction was suspended twice that year because the contractor had to secure a permit from the city government.  The contractor failed to meet the given deadline.

After extensions were given, the contractor was able to complete 62 percent of the project in 2016.

The city paid the contractors P103.7M based on progressive billing.  This means they are paid based on what they have accomplished.

Orcullo said that officials from the City Attorney’s Office had informed him that there is no legal impediment for the city to take over.

“But we have to inform the existing contractor na mao na ang buhaton, so mo-notify sa ilaha nga amo na ning tiwason,” he added.

They aimed to complete the requirements to be able to conduct a public bidding.

“That’s one of our priorities,” said Orcullo, as the election infrastructure ban on March 24, 2019 is fast approaching.

Yesterday morning, the city gathered the ambulant vendors to discuss its long-term solution for them and to remind them of their obligations to maintain cleanliness and not to cause traffic.

“Lisod man sad ato na papahawaon, pangabuhian mana nila.  So, amo lang mo-cooperate lang sila,” said Orcullo.

Out of the 1,200 to 1,300 vendors in Carbon who have existing contract with the city, about 600 of them are ambulant vendors.

“Ang naa sa gawas ba, nagkalat nalang,” said Orcullo.

He added some of these vendors might be accommodated in the new building once the building is completed within the year.

Other discussions of the vendors include proper food handling, among others.

“Manghinaot lang ko nga, mapahimutang gyud mi ba, nga wa nay balhin balhin.  Sayang kaayo ang building ba nya di ra magamit.” said Ma. Gina Velasquez, 32, who has been a vendor for two years. — Micole Gerard J. Tizon, USC Intern, GAN (FREEMAN)