Gullas hits awarding of road project

Cebu first district Representative Eduardo Gullas has questioned the move of the Department of Public Works and Highways in awarding to a Manila-based firm the multi-billion contract to build the Cebu North Coastal Road Project.

“We have good contractors in Cebu. Why award it to a non-Cebuano? Mga Cebuano bitaw di man makasulod sa Manila kung naay mga big projects. It’s unfair.” Gullas said.

It was Gullas and former congressmen Joseph “Ace” Durano, Simeon Kintanar, Antonio Yapha, Danao City Mayor Ramonito Durano and former Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano who asked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the establishment of CNCRP in 2004.

DPWH, however, awarded the contract to build the P2.3 billion Cansaga Bay Bridge to Manila-based contractor Ciriaco Construction. The bridge is part of Package 1, Phase Two of the CNCR project.

But Nilo Pamayloan, DPWH project director for CNCR, said the bidding of the construction of the Cansaga Bay Bridge was conducted in Manila and all local contractors, including Cebu contractors, were invited to bid.

“In a bidding, the lowest bidder wins. Ciriaco offered the lower bid, so they won,” Pamayloan said.

The CNCR project is divided into two packages with each package divided into two phases.

Phase One of Package 1, which involves civil works in preparation for the construction of bridge and approaches, has already been completed. Phase Two would include construction of the Cansaga Bay Bridge and its approaches.

Package II, meanwhile, includes the construction of roads including the Suba Bridge, Tayud Underpass and Pedestrian Overpass.

Gullas said they pushed for the CNCR project to compliment the Cebu South Coastal Road to decongest traffic in Cebu City.

Pamayloan said an initial funding of P400 million for the construction of the Cansaga Bay Bridge and its approaches was already released.

Another P999,290,000 will be released in 2009 and another P809,453,000 will be released in 2010, the year the project is expected to be completed.

In a recent visit to the site, however, Arroyo reprimanded DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. for the purported delay of the project. Arroyo also directed Ebdane to let his personnel work around the clock so that the project can be completed within the year.

The CNCR is part of Arroyo’s 149 infrastructure projects in the country. Of the number, 52 are in Central Visayas with five projects in Cebu. – Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMO   (THE FREEMAN)