Delay in projects’ completion: Oval contractor risks blacklisting

CEBU Philippines — The Cebu City Council has directed SBD Builders, the contractor behind the rubberized track oval of Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC), to explain why it should not be blacklisted from taking on city projects, following the delays in the completion of projects it was awarded with.

This came after City Councilor Noel Wenceslao delivered a privilege speech during their City Council session last Wednesday on the urgency of finishing the city-funded reinforcement work on a bridge in Sitio Candarong, Barangay Pulangbato.

During the discussion that followed, City Councilor Jerry Guardo, committee on infrastructure chairman, told the body that SBD Builders is the same one that was awarded the contract to re-rubberize the CCSC track oval.

“There is also a delay sa delivery sa atong rubberized (track) dira sa oval,” he said.

Wenceslao said construction of the Candarong bridge, which costs P24 million, started on Sept. 15, 2023 and was supposed to end after 240 calendar days.

He said it has already been 243 days since the beginning of the project.

And aside from asking SBD Builders to appear in an executive session on May 22, or Wednesday next week, the City Council also told the City’s Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) and other concerned agencies to likewise show up and discuss the delay in the construction of the “reinforced deck girder bridge” in Candarong.

DEPW was specifically mentioned for it to also apprise the City Council of all current infrastructure projects funded by the City Government.

“(To ask) as to whether they encounter the same delay or what…so we will be aware…of the situation of all the projects, one of which is the drainage system in Santa Teresita Village, Tisa, Cebu City,” said City Councilor Phillip Zafra, a former barangay captain of Tisa.

City Councilor James Anthony Cuenco on the other hand, wanted DEPW to submit an inventory of the ongoing or pending projects that Cebu City has awarded to SBD Builders.

City Councilor Joel Garganera, on the other hand, asked that DEPW and the city accountant to inform the council if funds were already downloaded to SBD, both for the Pulangbato bridge and the CCSC track oval.

Wenceslao raised the concern after Pulangbato barangay officials and residents expressed worry about the non-completion of the work on the Candarong bridge because it has been almost eight months and people still have to wade across the river while motorists still have to driver through the river to get to the other side.

The non-completion of the bridge, which spans across the Butuanon River, was a cause of worry for the people because of the upcoming rainy season.

"Maglisod na sila’g agi. Ang sakyanan ug ang mga tawo sa sapa," Wenceslao said. (CEBU NEWS)