City Council allocates P43M for new DVMF bldg., 5 infra projects

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has approved a budget of P43 million that will be allocated for the six infrastructure projects, including the construction of a new Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) building in Barangay Mabolo.

Councilor Jerry Guardo, chairman on the Committee on Infrastructure, has authored several resolutions for the budget allocation.

Among those approved measure is the P2.6 million rehabilitation of a drainage system in Barangay Guba. The council has also approved a resolution authorizing Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia to enter into an agreement with the corresponding contractor, Rebecca Najeeba Construction and Development.

A separate resolution was also approved authorizing Garcia to sign a construction agreement with Chylles General Services for a road concreting project on a portion of Isagani Street, Barangay Parian, with a budget appropriation of P3.2 million.

A road concreting project in Barangay Lorega San Miguel, with the same contractor, has also been approved by the council, with a budget of more than P1.1 million.

Of the six projects, the construction of a DVMF building with a compound perimeter fence on Xiamen Street, Barangay Mabolo got the biggest allocation amounting P19 million, with JXJ Civil Engineering Construction as the contractor.

It can be recalled that Dr. Alice Utlang, DVMF head, said that since the DVMF became a department, it did not have its own office.

Currently, the DVMF is holding office at the old abattoir in Barangay Mabolo, where a portion of it was destroyed by typhoon Odette in 2019.

Utlang said there is already an approved budget of P30 million intended for the first floor, which the contractor is now bidding for.

For the 2025 budget, Utlang said the DVMF has requested the City Hall to provide another P30 million for improvements, which will include setting up of more cages for the impounding facility.

Among the features envisioned for the building is the establishment of a veterinary clinic and hospital.

Utlang said this project is also designed to accommodate the surge of its clients, which the current office cannot do so because of the limited space.

She added that some portions of the facility were patched up with GI sheets to cover the holes, which, to her, was a contradictory reflection of the City’s thrust of being a first-class city.

She added that the expansion of the DVMF services resulted in the surge of clients, thus, requiring a larger facility.

With the establishment of the city-owned veterinary hospital, Utlang said this would mirror the services offered by private clinics. She also highlighted the timeliness of the building, saying that many pet owners in the city cannot afford to bring their pets to private clinics, while the DVMF offers services at a low cost.

Utlang also aims to put a stop to individuals masquerading as "rescuers" to solicit donations for animal welfare.

She said if the city veterinary clinic can accommodate more pets, they can also cater to strays that need help.

Meanwhile, the council also approved a resolution for the construction of an evacuation center worth more than P12 million in Sitio Proper, Barangay Budlaan.

Garcia was also authorized by the council to sign the construction agreement with Armed Builders and Supply for the project.

The council also approved another construction agreement between the Cebu City Government and Rebecca Najeeba Construction and Development for the construction of a Level One Portable Water System in sitios Upper Kawayan, Riverside, SNCA, and Maharlika, all in Barangay Sambag II, in the amount of P3.6 million.

During the discussion, Councilor Nestor Archival noted that the approved budget of P901,000 for these projects was not the same as what was reflected in the resolution.

Guardo explained that the resolution already encompassed all the deep well constructions for the four sitios in Sambag II.

Guardo added that the P3 million is a consolidated amount for the four deep wells.

“But you need to put that very clearly,” Archival said, to which Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera agreed.

Despite this, the council agreed to approve the resolution. (CEBU NEWS)