Argao saves 35 percent from sports center cost

CEBU - The Argao local government was able to save 35 percent from the total cost in the construction of the town’s President Diosdado Macapagal Sports Center.

Mayor Edsel Galeos disclosed that the municipality was able to acquire savings because the project did not go through private contractors.

“Sa labor naka-save, sa profit sad kay dili na man by contractor, by administration na man... wala na sad ang tax nga 12 percent VAT… in other words naka-save ta sa operating, contingencies and miscellaneous expenses,” the mayor said.

Galeos disclosed that Secretary Cerge Remonde, himself a native of Argao, wanted the project to be undertaken by a private contractor.

“Makatabang kaayo ko by administration… meaning maka-share ko sa profit so wala nay profit… naa sad ko mga heavy equipment nga makatabang and naa sad ta’y kaugalingong equipment dinhi sa local government,” said Galeos, a civil engineer by profession.

Moreover, the mayor also clarified that the project costs P24 million and not P40 million as earlier reported.

“This is excluding sa landscaping, accessories inside and sa stage, and also sa parking and mga drainage system,” he said.

He also disclosed that for the project’s construction, Remonde pledged P20 million but the municipality only received P19.3 million.

“This is because gikuhaan na ni sa DPWH og 3.5 percent.. standard man na nila..so ang among net nga nadawat is 19.3 (million),” the mayor explained.

But due to the increase in the price of steel needed for the construction, Galeos had to ask for assistance of P2 million from Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and P1.5 million from her father, Cebu second district Representative Pablo Garcia.

The town, however, has still to receive the amount from the lawmaker.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri had pledged P1million but the municipality only received half of the amount.

The inauguration of the sports center will be on September 19 in line with the celebration of the town’s 400th founding anniversary.

“Human ani, ako ihatag ang tanang husay bisan sa kinagamyang centavo para makahibawo ang mga Argaowanon sa tanan gyud nga mga nagasto,” Galeos assured. — Joy Kareen T. Saliente/LPM (THE FREEMAN)