Contractor defers work on SRP beach project

CEBU, Philippines - The contractor of the P30-million white sand beach project at the South Road Properties refuses to start putting dolomite sand and pebble mixture into the artificial beach until a mechanism to prevent garbage from being washed ashore is put in place.

Dakay Construction Development Corporation said that to spread the pebbles and sand mixture will be futile at this time since there is still a tendency that garbage from neighboring coast goes to the SRP.

“To supply and spread the white sand pebbles at this time would be an exercise in futility as a device or method to prevent the garbage from washing ashore is not yet in place. Consequently, we respectfully request that the white sand item in the POWE of the project be deleted,” said Pericles P. Dakay, president and general manager of DCDC.

The installation of artificial white-sand beach is supposed to cost over P4 million.

DCDC wants it deleted in the Program of Works and Estimate (POWE) since both the SRP Management and the contractor agreed that it is not the best time to undertake that portion of the POWE.

It should be deleted so the contractor can avoid missing the deadline for completion of project.

Instead of the installation of white sand and pebbles, DCDC proposed an additional structure like a stonewall to protect the shoreline from erosion and add aesthetic value to the place.

However, the city needs a legal opinion first to check if the contractor can alter the original scope following Commission on Audit rules and guidelines.

The construction of an artificial white sand beach is aimed at keeping the tourists from having to travel miles just to get to a really nice white sand beach resort.

The artificial beach resort is expected to increase more the value of the SRP. – (FREEMAN)