Gwen: Summit’s Cebu organizers not involved in P1.525B projects

Governor Gwen Garcia clarified that the Cebu Organizing Committee of the 12th ASEAN Summit had nothing to do with the implementation of 136 projects totaling P1.525 billion.

Garcia, who was co-chairman of the COC, said that all the projects never passed the COC. “The COC had no hand in the proposal or implementation of these projects.”

Cebu did its part and did it well in the ASEAN Summit that was held at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City, she said.

The governor further said that, since the money involved was public funds, it would be better to have the proper accounting of these projects continues.

The Commission on Audit earlier ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways to “show cause” for implementing the 136 projects but violating the procurement law. As such, payments made for these projects may not be allowed, warned COA.

In a report posted on its website, COA noted that the 136 projects were implemented without public bidding and 63 of these, costing P766.75 million, were implemented without appropriate funding and perfected contracts.

COA also found that the approved budget for contracts for the supply and installation of 660 sets of street lamps in the cities of Cebu and Mandaue were bloated, hence, the contracts totaling P54.94 million were found excessive by P35.56 million.

Former Mandaue City mayor Thadeo Ouano, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Radaza, other city officials, and those from DPWH-7 were preventively suspended for the alleged overpriced transaction. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/RAE