Tom: New bldg "well spent" than CICC

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday gathered over lunch members of the media at the Japanese Seafarers Union-Philippine Seafarers Union Mariners’ Court so he can compare it with the Cebu International Convention Center which he called a “glaring” display of misused money.

He said it was at the building recently to attend the birthday of Associated Labor Union national president Democrito Mendoza where he had the chance to inquire about the facility.

Osmeña learned that the building costs P160 million and the furniture another P20 million.

There are lodging facilities in the seven-story building.

 “If you were to peg the price of the CICC at P800 million then you can visualize that you can build five of these for what they spend for the CICC. You don’t have to be an engineer to see the difference, of what actually transpired at CICC. I just want to demonstrate that this is what you can do if you spend your money wisely,” Osmeña said.

Engr. Art Barrit, also an official of ALU, shared that the building was built in four months within the ALU Compound from a grant of the JSU.

Its contractor, Dakay Construction Development Corp., Barrit said, was constantly and strictly monitored by the Japanese officials.

“Karon ulan ulan man, we can assure you nga dili jud ni mutulo and wala sad ni siyay scrap iron,” Barrit said. 

On whether the city has done its part in filing appropriate charges against the Cebu provincial government over the alleged anomalous convention center, Osmeña said he just presented the facts.

“Sa akong bahin it is just for you to see for yourselves, we have the representatives of the COA. So let them do their investigation. I am just trying to demonstrate that we are not experts on convention centers but we are not stupid. Just see with your own eyes this one cost P160 million the other cost five times more. This is what you get for the money,” he said.

Noeme Medic of the Commission on Audit said she cannot comment on whether the comparative presentation made by Osmeña was enough for them to make their own investigation.

She said there are assigned persons and appropriate venues to discuss the matter. — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP (THE FREEMAN)