Arroyo refuses to intervene in CICC construction plans

President Gloria Arroyo yesterday refused to issue any statement about the plans of Governor Gwen Garcia on speeding up the construction of the megadome, now referred to as the Cebu International Convention Center.

Arroyo tried to shun giving categorical answers about Garcia's plan to request the President for the possible granting of exemptions over some provisions in bidding and procurement procedures, which would fast track the construction of the CICC.

Garcia earlier said she would consult Arroyo on ways to shortcut the procedures so that the CICC will be finished in time for the ASEAN Summit here in Cebu this December.

But Arroyo only said the matter should "depend on the local government units because they have local autonomy," as she assured that the national government would contribute to the preparations of the biggest gathering of ASEAN leaders so far here in Cebu.

"It is the responsibility of the LGUs to complete the project. I asked them if they can handle the summit, and they said they can," Arroyo said.

Arroyo also said the commitment of Cebu officials on the matter made her confident that the ASEAN Summit would be hosted successfully, similar to past events like the Southeast Asian Games.

The President told local and national mediamen, during a press interaction at the CEBECO complex in Toledo City yesterday, that she has been expecting the CICC to be a "world class" edifice that will make the country proud.

Arroyo said there are lots of preparation for the ASEAN Summit because it is much bigger than the SEA Games, considering the 16 heads of states and their respective ministers and officials attending the event, and mediamen covering it.

Meanwhile, former senator John Henry "Sonny" Osmeña commented yesterday that Malacañang should study carefully the request of the provincial government for exemptions on procurement procedures as stipulated in Republic Act 9184, of the Government Procurement Reform Act.

He said the law is very clear and the granting of exemptions from it should only be done when it is a matter of "extreme emergency, and danger to life or limb," and not just to fast track the construction of an edifice.

"There is no denying that the provision is there but I cannot see how Capitol can stretch that provision to cover the construction of the CICC," Osmeña said.

He also doubted that the CICC will be finished by November 6, the target completion date set by the provincial government. - Wenna A. Berondo and Cristina C. Birondo