Bonoan to probe Cebu lamppost anomaly

Acting Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan yesterday said he will immediately seek an investigation into the identities of the owners of a private beach resort in Cebu where 30 pieces of the overpriced decorative lampposts were allegedly ordered transferred by his predecessor, Hermogenes Ebdane.

It was reported that Ebdane ordered the installation of the 30 streetlights in the private Porto Fino Beach Resort in Lapu-Lapu City, on Cebu’s Mactan Island.

These reports surfaced only recently after Ebdane was appointed secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND).

"I have not heard of the transfer of the lampposts to a private resort, but it cannot be done," Bonoan said. "To transfer the lampposts is preposterous."

The lighting fixtures were to be installed along the ceremonial route for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit that took place in January.

In a press statement, Ebdane said, "I take responsibility for the installation of these lampposts in Porto Fino Beach Resort, which is adjacent to the official site on Mactan Island because it is the only alternative site of the historic summit."

He said the organizers saw the need for an alternative site because of concerns that the official site would not be finished in time for the opening due to bad weather, which threatened to delay the work schedules on the official site.

Ebdane also said the people should be informed of the source of the complaint and the motives of these complainants: "Are they objective and fair?"

He added that the lampposts were purchased in accordance with established rules under the new procurement law, which requires public biddings for programs and projects.

According to him, the programs and projects for the ASEAN Summit were advertised in newspapers and official government websites. – Evelyn Macairan