Archt. Guanzon says he'll finish CICC ups ante

With a month to go before the deadline for the completion of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) at the Mandaue Reclamation Area, the ante has been raised.

To quell mounting speculations that they will not be able to complete the project by November 15, CICC project architect Manuel Guanzon has raised his bet from the original half-a-million pesos he first offered last August 22 by another P1 million yesterday for a total of P1.5 million.

Peeved over many speculations that he would not be able to deliver the project on November 15, Guanzon yesterday increased his bet.

"Standing pa. Wa may takers. Now I would like to increase the ante to P1.5 million," he said.

And while apprehensions surfaced that although he may be able to complete the entire facility, delays may be on the installation of connections for power and water supply.

But Guanzon yesterday dispelled these speculations by saying they could not go on welding the structural steel and implement other related works that require electricity and water had they not been able to install such earlier.

And when pressed if he is really optimistic they would be able to deliver?

Guanzon said, "Do I have a choice? I could not be pessimistic. I'm not even optimistic. You just have to do it and deliver the project to them," he said.

He said, the CICC is now nearing completion with 96 percent accomplishment of the entire project, which is one percent higher as compared to the progress report of 95 percent completion two weeks ago.

Further, Guanzon assured the public of CICC's structural integrity despite the fact that the contractors have been racing against time to complete the project.

Guanzon pointed out to reporters yesterday that even as they scrambled to work for the completion of CICC on time for the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit this December, work has been fast-tracked with the use of materials that would help them attain the goal.

Guanzon explained that they used structural steel, which can be erected in a matter of two hours, against the intricate work that would be needed if they just used conventional reinforce concrete.

The architect emphasized they will not sacrifice the structural integrity of the building despite the time element that they have to beat.

"Ma-fasttrack man gyud na kay we're using structural steel. That is not the reinforced concrete. Mao niy kinalig-onan and you can erect that in two hours," he told reporters yesterday.

Guanzon also explained that although there are only 30 more working days left for the contractors to complete the work, this actually means 90 days since they work in three shifts.

"I cannot blame them (those who think the project will not be finished on time) because they are not on the ground as I am. But I am here so I know exactly what's going on. Og pagbuot sa Ginoo nga di gyud mahuman, wa na koy mahimo ana. Thy will be done," he said.

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia along with Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano and other city officials, and CICC officials showed reporters around the construction site.

Garcia, on the other hand, said that from the start it had always been presumed that most of the ASEAN Summit activities would be held at CICC. This is the reason why Malacañang requested if they could start working on the said project considering that the original P250-million appropriation was already there.

"That in itself is pressure for us to deliver. From the start, I've already said that we will deliver because I realized this is not just a challenge to me. This is a challenge to us Cebuanos," she said.

Regarding the death of construction worker Rubencio Adlawan last October 11 due to electrocution, Garcia said it is to the interest of the contractor that safety measures should be put in place.

She also said that if reports that Adlawan and other workers are paid below the minimum wage, then it is for the Department of Labor to do its job.

She however urged all contractors for the project to observe the labor laws and give the workers their due.

The governor also said that the CICC would earn from the summit since Malacañang will rent the facility for the meetings of the 12th ASEAN Summit.

The rental rates are still however to be fixed since they hope to use the rates of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) as basis.

The CICC is a joint venture of Capitol with Mandaue City, the latter being the owner of the property where the CICC is constructed.