LSB defends ‘overpriced’ scaffoldings

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Local School Board (LSB) has justified its purchase of alleged overpriced scaffoldings to be used by the contractor repainting 130 public school buildings in the city, a decision that has raised eyebrows among some members of the Cebu City Council.

In a letter submitted to the Cebu City Council on October 9, 2024, the LSB emphasized that their mandate is to repair and maintain over 130 public schools in Cebu City, most of which are four-storey or medium-rise buildings.

The LSB explained that including scaffoldings in the Programs of Works and Estimates (POWE) for the contractor ensures cost-effectiveness. They pointed out that the current scaffoldings in the LSB warehouse are insufficient.

Citing specifics, the LSB noted that after the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Odette, the repair of roofs and ceilings in schools was delayed due to a lack of scaffoldings.

The letter was signed by Engineer Churchill Español, Zoning Officer 1, and addressed to Engineer Lowell Corminal, acting Head of the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW).

"Given the situation, we decided not to rent scaffolding since we needed it for our operations. Using scaffolding will ultimately reduce labor time and minimize the likelihood of accidents, which can lead to costly delays and claims," an excerpt from the letter reads.

In addition, the LSB further justified that the inclusion of scaffoldings ensures safety for workers. As explained in the letter, scaffolding provides a secure platform for painting at heights, reducing the risk of falls and injuries compared to using ladders.

The LSB also pointed out that scaffolding allows for easier access to elevated surfaces, which enhances productivity.

"Workers can navigate more freely and complete tasks more quickly, leading to a faster project timeline," the LSB said.

Further, the LSB argued that the use of scaffolding ensures quality work and adheres to regulatory compliance by meeting Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards, which helps avoid potential legal issues and fines associated with workplace safety violations.

The LSB added that since the scaffoldings will be returned to them once the repainting projects are completed, the purchase will not only benefit the repair and maintenance work of the LSB but also other departments of the Cebu City Government that may need to borrow them in the future.

However, despite these justifications, Councilor Nestor Archival Sr., who was among those that questioned the purchase, remains unsatisfied with the LSB’s reasons.

Archival told The Freeman yesterday, November 24, 2024, that painting contractors are supposed to provide their own safety gear, including scaffolding. He argued that the purchase is disadvantageous to the city.

"Akong sintemento ana, alkanse ta, disadvantage ta. Ngano man nga ibutang nato na sa POWE, nga kanang scaffoldings, dili man na ato, sila man ang contractor ana nga mu provide, nya kung painting contractor naa gyud kay scaffoldings," Archival said.

He added that had it not been scrutinized when it was brought to the council for approval, the purchase might have passed unnoticed. He is also concerned about how many painting projects have already been completed using the same setup for scaffolding purchases.

“Perti na gurong daghana natong scaffoldings if ila (contractor) pa na’ng gi-uli,” Archival said.

According to Archival, it was stipulated that one project could sometimes require the purchase of scaffolding worth around P500,000. He pointed out that for ten projects, the purchase of scaffolding alone could amount to as much as P5 million.

He further raised the issue of where the city government would store the scaffoldings once the projects are completed, noting that it shouldn’t be the city's responsibility.

Archival also recalled that during the time of then vice mayor, now City Councilor Joy Young, scaffolding was not included in the POWE, and the city already owned some scaffoldings.

Archival said that before the scrutiny of the contract for painting the city’s school buildings, it wasn’t stipulated that the scaffoldings would be turned over to the city once the project was finished.

He also revealed that they discovered the project had already started before the council had authorized the Cebu City Mayor to sign the contract with the contractors on behalf of the city.

“Mao gyud na ang first nako nga concern nganong inyo man ning gipatrabaho nga wala pa man ni authorization from mayor. Niingon sila nga kinahanglan dalion kay gamiton sa Palaro. Di man na rason, kabalo naman ta years ago nga naa may Palaro,” said Archival.

As a contractor himself, Archival also took note of the alleged overpricing of the scaffoldings, which, according to him, should be priced per square meter. He compared what was indicated in the POWE and found that the total cost, once summed up, was at least three times higher.

"Para nako dako kaayo, mao nga akong gi-review, nya pag-review nako, naa may gibutang scaffoldings nga naa say duol sa million, nya kadaghanan gyud nila more than P500,000," Archival said.

Archival lobbied for the scaffoldings included in the POWE to be turned over to the city's possession once the projects were completed.

It was reported that the proposed resolutions of Councilor Jerry Guardo to repaint 83 school buildings at a total cost of P40.4 million encountered a snag before the city council because the specific rundown of items, including scaffolding, was not attached to the proposal.

The proposal seeks to authorize Acting Cebu Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia to sign a construction agreement on behalf of Cebu City with P.B. Obial Construction, Goldfin Construction and Development Corporation, Ascentia Construction, Inc., and W. GO Construction and Supply.

This project aims to repaint the 83 school buildings of Ramon Duterte National High School in Barangay Guadalupe, Tejero Elementary School and High School, Tisa Elementary School, Zapatera Elementary and National High School, Mabolo Elementary School, and Punta Princesa Elementary and High School.

The proposal also mandates that the contractor turn over to the LSB a list of items, such as scaffolding, frames, vests, harnesses, and clamps, as enumerated in the construction agreement, after the completion of the project.

Previously, Archival mentioned that the number of these items wasn’t specifically indicated in the submitted POWE. He noted that he raised concerns about the specifications after assessing that the acquisition of these items was “expensive.”  — (FREEMAN)