Plaza restoration team blames delay on long bidding process

CEBU, Philippines – The team in charge of restoring the Plaza Independencia is attributing the delay of the restoration to the lengthy bidding process, as the P16.9 million contract for the first phase of the project has not yet been awarded to contractor.

The soft opening of the plaza was slated originally last October 28, in time for the birthday of Mayor Michael Rama, but the same did not materialize. 

Dr. Librado Macaraya, consultant and acting presiding officer of the Plaza Independencia and Fort San Pedro rehabilitation and development project team, said the money has long been available, but the bidding process stalled the flow of things.

The project was appropriated some P20 million, which was included in the Supplemental Budget No. 4 the City Council passed early August this year.

The Bids and Awards Committee has already bid out the project and identified Geety Construction as the lowest responsive bidder. However, Geety still has to undergo post qualification before the mayor issues a notice to proceed.

This process, said Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias, chairman of the committee on infrastructure, will take about three weeks so assuming that Geety will pass all the requirements, it can start by the third week of November.

Starting on the third week of November is already way behind the target schedule, Macaraya said.

Rama earlier said he wants the plaza to be ready by December 1 or before Christmas so Cebuano Families will have a place to visit during the long holiday.

"If the contractor will work 24 hours, in three shifts, possibly the Plaza will be presentable before Christmas," Macaraya said.

To make it presentable despite time constraint, the contractor has to work on the ground cover, the pavements and main pedestrian contour, Macaraya said. After this, the contractor can concentrate on completing the project until for 120 days, the estimated time frame.

The fencing, which is part of the P6 million project of Kajima Construction as compensation for the damage that caused by the construction of the South Road Properties subway, has already been completed.

Macaraya voiced concern on Geety as the contractor because some of its projects with the city allegedly received negative feedback from the city engineering department.

"So what we want is for them to undergo a pre-construction seminar before they start so that we will be able to impart to them our goals for this project," Macaraya said.

Despite the negative feedback, Macaraya said they opted not to get another contractor because another bidding would just delay the project further. Rama reportedly ordered the restoration team to monitor the construction closely. (FREEMAN)