Lighting project along Katipunan St.: Contractor assures permits were secured

CEBU, Philippines -  The permits needed for the street lighting project along Katipunan Street, Barangay Labangon, were all secured.

This was assured by Gil Hamoy of Falco Construction, contractor of the median structure project, which is subject of the administrative complaint filed by Labangon Barangay Captain Victor Buendia against Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and has led to the latter’s suspension for six months.

During the formal investigation yesterday, Hamoy was presented as Buendia’s first witness.

Hamoy said he secured the permits from the city government and the Department of Public Works and Highways-7 before the start of the street lighting project, which includes the installation of lamp post, painting and the installation of the damaged portion of the road.

Buendia, in his complaint, alleged that Rama abused his authority in the demolition of the median structure, which is a barangay project. Buendia and Rama belong to different political parties.

Lawyer Benjamin Militar, Buendia’s legal counsel, conducted the direct examination yesterday.

Hamoy said he is a contractor for civil works with permits from the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board, and also has a mayor’s permit, among others.

He added the company can undertake public and private contracts with a P50 million cap.

Hamoy disclosed that he was invited by Buendia to participate in the bidding of the project. After being awarded the project, the program of works and estimates and the details of the project was forwarded to him.

However, lawyers of Rama questioned the competence of Hamoy.

“May I know your honor, they have not qualified the witness as to his competence to identify any plans. I did not even hear that he is an engineer. I would like to know. We have to lay the basis. Are you an engineer?” said lawyer Jerone Castillo.

Hamoy said he is an electrical engineer.

Castillo said Hamoy is not competent to do the project since it involves civil works.

But Hamoy said he has been a contractor since 2008 with a PCAB permit, adding that he handles civil and electrical projects.

“They have initially presented the first witness. We are looking carefully on his answers. We are looking at the competence of the witness to testify the matters where he is incompetent,” Castillo said.

DILG hearing officer Isidro Barrios III later suspended the hearing for time constraints.

The direct examination will continue today at the Civil Service Commission-7. — (FREEMAN)