Despite issues, budget for Abellana school renovation approved

CEBU, Philippines — The proposal for the P30 million worth rehabilitation and renovation of Abellana National School’s Multi-Purpose building and facilities was approved, albeit with several concerns raised by some members of the Cebu City Council.

This came after the resolution raised by Councilor Jerry Guardo, chairman of the Committee on Infrastructure to authorize Acting City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, for and on behalf of the City of Cebu, to enter into and sign the Construction Agreement with Corro Construction Development and Trade Corporation for the repair and renovation of Abellana National School’s Multi-Purpose Building and Grounds in Cebu City. The project’s cost is at least P15,657,986.

Aside from this, another proposal in the same context but with Win Construction for the Rehabilitation and Renovation of Abellana National School’s Classrooms and Sports Facility in Cebu City has also been proposed. This also has an amount of P15,960,608.

However, during the discussion, Councilor Nestor Archival Sr., minority floor leader, said that these renovations have already been completed and the budget was even approved before the hosting of the Palarong Pambansa 2024.

But Guardo said that they faced delays in securing permits since there were questions raised on the ownership of this property. He said though that this has already been ironed out after the Tax Declarations stated that these were owned by the Cebu City government.

Guardo said that the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) also claimed ownership of this property.

Councilor Joy Augustus Young said that “all school sites in Cebu City” are owned by the Cebu City Government stressing that “not a single one” is owned by the Department of Education (DepEd). In fact, he added that these have tax declarations.

Further, Archival disclosed that there was at least P65 million allocated for the overall rehabilitation of the school including the Sports Center. As such, he sought clarification as to why the resolution is being submitted just now despite the construction already completed.

Councilor Noel Wenceslao, chairman of the Committee on Budget and Finance, said that this budget was included in the Supplemental Budget.

“These are part of the approved budget pero the contract is awarded to four different contractors pero akong gipa present for approval now is only for the two contractors pa,” said Guardo.

Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, majority floor leader, clarified that the reason for the delay of these resolutions is that they wanted to make sure that all documents are attached once presented to the council, including the questions on the ownership.

Pesquera also answered that this amount is already included in the P65 million that was previously approved by the body.

But Archival pointed out that what was done is not aligned with the standard procedure.

“Can you just imagine, imo ng gipatrabaho and kontraktor nga wa pay kontrata?” he said.

The council, however, approved the proposals, but with three objections coming from Archival, de los Santos, and Councilor Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa. (CEBU NEWS)