DEPW targets completion of first phase this year

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) assures the vendors of carbon that the first phase of the rebuilding of the Carbon Market Unit II will be completed within the year.

DEPW officials said that once the first floor is constructed, vendors may start occupying the site while the engineering department waits for additional budget to complete the two-storey Unit II building.

The project would cost over P300 million after they applied some price adjustments.

It will follow the original plan which was first estimated at over P160 million only but since it was delayed for a long time, the prices of materials have all gone up.

They currently have a stand-by fund of P170 million of which P100 million was just approved under the 2012 Annual Budget while the rest was appropriated in 2010.

Engineer June Nadine Sison, head of the Construction Division, said that the current budget is enough to complete the pile driving or the foundation and the first floor of the building.

The two-storey building plan also has a rooftop intended as a parking area.

Vendors have been requesting the city for the reconstruction of the building that was gutted by fire 13 years ago.

There were attempts to reconstruct the building in the past but was not successful until the plan was revived last year.

The city government sought Malacañang’s assistance for the construction but the request was turned down because the budget for projects have been depleted from the President’s other priority projects.

The Department of Finance, however, offered a loan but Mayor Michael Rama is not keen on borrowing money for the project.

The Market Operations Division also wants to hasten the implementation of the project so the displaced vendors may be relocated.

Displaced vendors are currently staying along the road. Once the vendors are relocated, the MOD says Carbon roads will be wider and traffic will be smoother. (FREEMAN)