Variation may delay CH landscape works

Delay is looming over the landscaping of the grounds of the new legislative building now that up to P3 million more is needed to complete the works.

Vice Mayor Michael Rama said the city would need P2.5 million to P3 million more to complete the landscaping after it was discovered that a variation has occurred between the blueprint and the actual landscaping. Because of the variation, the P11 million donated by the Philippine Tourism Authority for the landscaping would no longer suffice.

The variation is such that the area of the “hardscape” or the parts with solid stone and concrete has become bigger compared to the area of the “softscape” or the parts that are filled with plants. The additional P2.5 million to P3 million would be needed for the “softscape”.

Rama said he will demand explanation from the City Engineering Office why the variation occurred, especially that the contractor, Dakay Construction, is reportedly hesitant to spend for the project for fear of delay or non-payment.

Of the P11 million, only P5 million yet has been released, as PTA also requires a progress report of the project to release the remaining amount, Rama said. 

If the city would want the landscaping completed soon, Rama said the additional budget should be taken from its own coffers considering that PTA has expected that both the “hardscape” and “softscape” are already covered by the P11 million.

Landscaping of the new legislative building grounds started February this year and is a major reason why the new legislative building has not yet been formally inaugurated.

The landscaping is complex because the works include the establishment of drainage in the area to prevent flooding during heavy rains. The landscaping is expected to be completed June this year.

Meanwhile, Rama said they are working on the possibility of making the new legislative building an art museum in itself that would feature the works of local artists.

In fact, the vice mayor’s office has contracted several artists to do huge murals on two walls at the building’s lobby that would depict the past and present Cebu City. Both murals would cover an entire wall from the floor to the ceiling.  — Joeberth M. Ocao/MEEV