P29 million Barangay San Roque multi-purpose hall deferred

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council deferred a resolution for a P29-million rehabilitation of a multi-purpose hall in Barangay San Roque after multiple issues were raised during their recent session.

This came after Councilor Jerry Guardo, council committee chairman on infrastructure, proposed a resolution that would authorize Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, for and on behalf of the City of Cebu, to enter into and sign a construction agreement with 5GG Construction for the project.

The project would involved construction of an additional second floor of the barangay multi-purpose gym for conversion into an evacuation center amounting to P27,674,833.36.

Guardo also  proposed a separate resolution involving at least P2.4 million with the same contractor in the same area—this time, for the rehabilitation of the San Roque Multi-Purpose Building.

However, some councilors sought clarifications on the difference between the two resolutions.

Guardo explained that the P27-million project is for the conversion of the existing gym into a two-storey evacuation center. The ground floor, he said, will serve as a parking space, while the second floor will remain as a sports center.

Guardo clarified that, despite being in the same area, these are two different buildings.

Despite the explanation, Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera said that it would be more prudent to allow the next administration to tackle and approve the proposed projects.

“Because we will be spending for P27 million, and then another P2 million…it’s good that there will be an evacuation center but it would be a lot better that it will be re-studied,” said Pesquera.

Councilor Noel Wenceslao, however, said that the amount is significant for the construction of an evacuation center.

Guardo said that the scope of the projects would also cover the basketball court, which further prompted a remark from Pesquera.

Councilor Franklyn Ong suggested reviewing the methodology first, adding that clearing the basketball court to convert it into an evacuation center could be subjected to Commission on Audit (COA) review.

Because of the questions raised, the council deferred the resolutions.

Meanwhile, the council approved a resolution authorizing Garcia to enter into and sign a construction agreement with VCD Construction and Supply for the construction of a four-storey, 20-classroom school building  at San Nicolas Elementary School, Barangay Duljo-Fatima in the amount of P49,977,979.28.

The council further authorized Garcia, for and on behalf of the City of Cebu, to enter into and sign a construction agreement with JTA Builders for another construction of a four-storey, 20-classroom school building inside the Cebu City Labangon Elementary School amounting to P49,994,100.97.

Another P49-million project was also approved for the construction of a four-storey, 20-classroom school building at Cebu City National Science High School in Barangay Labangon,  with JTA Builders as contractor. (CEBU NEWS)