SRP project divides City Council

CEBU, Philippines - Some members of the Cebu City Council want the Department of Engineering and Public Works to “speed up” the implementation of the P50.4 million road projects at the South Road Properties pending investigation result from the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

The rest of the councilors contradicted though, saying that the issue needs to be resolved first.

The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended the projects following the complaint of the previous City Council. The Ombudsman has now been investigating the legality of Mayor Michael Rama’s move in entering into contracts with private contractors without the council’s authority.

“…blanket without ratifying the contract between the contractor and the city and without prejudice on the outcome of the verdict of the Ombudsman. DEPW has to speed up the implementation,” Councilor Gerardo Carillo, a lawyer, said.

Carillo stressed that the project should continue whatever the consequences would be in order to comply with the inked agreement between the SM Prime Holdings Inc.

Councilor Hanz Abella said though that Carillo’s opinion is “inconsistent and illogical allowing the project to commence but without prejudice to the result of the investigation.”

Councilors Mary Ann Delos Santos and Eugenio Gabuya affirmed.

SM Supermalls Visayas region operations manager Sherry Tuvilla has been asking update on the deferred projects, such as the commercial and interior roads and the widening of Mambaling road, which are vital in the opening of SM Seaside Complex next year.

For DEPW Engr. Jose Marie Poblete, head of the city’s Bids and Awards Committee, they are ready to implement the project.

Majority floor leader Margarita Osmeña, however, contradicted, saying that “there is no really contract to be implemented because there is an issue attached to it.”

Councilor Nestor Archival also shared his view, saying that the contract in question has been handed to the Ombudsman.

“I don’t think we have the power to cancel or continue because it is in the power of the Ombudsman. We should not touch the issue anymore,” he said.

Last Wednesday, the council endorsed the concern of SM to the Office of the Mayor for appropriate action.

SM was asked to submit the program of works and estimates of the rehabilitation and expansion projects at SRP before June 30. (FREEMAN)