Capitol may continue construction of hospitals in Danao, Balamban

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu provincial government is eyeing at the possibility of rebidding to contractors the ‘abandoned’ provincial hospitals in Danao City and Balamban.

Construction of the P98.7-million Cebu Provincial Hospital-Danao City started during the term of former governor Gwendolyn Garcia but current Governor Hilario Davide stopped the project because the contract with Supreme ABF Construction was reportedly carried out without authority from the Provincial Board, according to the Commission on Audit.

This was also what reportedly happened to the P38-million provincial hospital in Balamban, which was constructed by WTG Construction and Development.

Davide said rebidding would be needed to complete the two health facilities, which will benefit residents of the province.

Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino who heads the Capitol’s Bids and Awards Committee, said they have not discussed the rebidding yet but agreed with Davide’s plan.  Tolentino said both Supreme ABF Construction and WTG Construction and Development can still participate in the possible rebidding because they have not been blacklisted.

CPH-Danao City can now perform major operations and serve patients from the city and its neighboring towns after it launched on Tuesday its major surgical procedures following its upgrade to level one status granted by the Department of Health.

The Commission on Audit earlier directed Capitol to recover more than P500 million that was allegedly disbursed illegally as payment for infrastructure projects made from 2008 to 2011.

COA found out that appropriation and disbursement of funds for the contractors of the projects implemented during this time period did not have the authority of the Provincial Board.

COA said there were 58 infrastructure projects paid for by the Capitol totaling P540 million despite the absence of PB resolution authorizing the said transactions, which violated Government Auditing Code of the Philippines, and Government Procurement Reform Act. — (FREEMAN)