Emergency procurement eyed for Pulangbato bridge rehab

CEBU, Philippines — To take advantage of the ongoing dry season, the Cebu City Government is preparing to initiate the emergency procurement process for the rehabilitation of the Pulangbato Bridge, following the termination of its previous contractor.

Nearly seven months after officials from Barangay Pulangbato urged the city to declare a state of emergency in their area, the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) convened on Thursday to adopt the recommendation.

With this development, the city will now seek the council’s approval for emergency procurement to fast-track the stalled construction of the reinforced deck girder bridge from Sitio Candarong to Tanay Road in Barangay Pulangbato.

Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia noted that the project has been long overdue, with the barangay requesting its completion since 2013.

“It has already been 12 years and no action. Nasugdan na unta ni atong 2023 but again because of pressing concerns, like the contractor was unable to finish the project, then we had to do the necessary measures,” said Garcia.

The project was initially awarded to SBD Builders with a contract amounting to ?24,052,580.78. It was originally scheduled for completion in 240 days, from September 15, 2023, to May 11, 2024.

Barangay officials reported that despite being granted a 60-day extension, moving the completion date to September 30, 2024, only 36.02% of the work has been accomplished, resulting in a negative slippage of 63.98% and severe project delays.

Due to these delays, vehicles have been forced to take unsafe alternative and makeshift routes, posing serious risks to residents, commuters, and transport operators.

Garcia confirmed that the contractor’s contract has been terminated, and the city will undergo a new procurement process. To proceed, a new CDRRMC resolution must be passed to formally request city council approval.

“Hopefully by next Wednesday (council session), so we can already start the procurement process, ihan-ay na namo tanan,” said Garcia.

However, Garcia noted that the emergency procurement may only begin after the election due to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) ban on the disbursement and utilization of government funds, including those for infrastructure projects.

He emphasized that this restriction prevents the awarding of the project to a new contractor, as the Pulangbato Bridge project was not included in the recently approved COMELEC exemption certification. The city may explore whether the emergency procurement provision would allow them to proceed despite the ban.

Given the project's delays and negative slippage, Garcia said the contractor may be held liable for damages. However, this matter will be handled by the Cebu City Legal Office.

During the same CDRRMC session, Barangay Pulangbato Chief John Barry Miñoza appealed to officials to expedite the procurement process and urged the inclusion of budget allocations under the COMELEC ban exemption, citing the urgency to begin construction during the dry season.

“Kay kung sugdan nasad sa ting-uwan, maglisod ang contractor kay di baya basta-basta ang uwan didto kay Butuanon River baya na (water under the bridge), pirting dakoa sa baha, so mao to manghinaot ko nga masugdan ta karong buwana samtang init pa gyud,” said Miñoza.

Miñoza also called on the city council to hasten the approval of the emergency procurement request so that construction can resume.

Currently, residents are relying on favorable weather to pass under the unfinished bridge.

“Kana lang gyung mu-uwan unya mag-baha, pirti na gyung lisosa among dalan,” Miñoza added.

He explained that during heavy rainfall, residents are forced to take a detour through Barangay Guba to Agsungot, Binaliw, and Pit-os before returning to Pulangbato—a route that takes two additional hours. With no alternative access road, students often miss school when it rains.

“Ang uban tawon di na ka-eskwela,” he said.

To temporarily address the situation, the barangay has provided a service vehicle for students. Miñoza noted that the bridge’s condition has also impacted neighboring areas, including Guba, Sirao, Adlaon, and Taptap. – /FPL (FREEMAN)