ICC to be done before APEC Summit — DPWH

ILOILO CITY, Philippines  — Amid allegations of overpricing, the construction of the controversial Iloilo Convention Center will be completed before next year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, according to Regional Director Edilberto Tayao of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Region 6.

Recently, DPWH-6 declared a failure of bidding on the ICC’s Phase 2, which covers the painting and tile works; plumbing and installation of electrical, and mechanical features; and the aluminum clogging. The Phase 2 will have a budget of P200 million, inclusive of the P700-million budget for the whole ICC construction.

Tayao admitted that the issues hounding the ICC have somehow affected the construction works, as some contractors might have some reservations into joining the bidding for the Phase 2 of the building construction for fear that they might be dragged into the controversy.

“There was dire effect otherwise the works could have continued smoothly, said Tayao, adding that his office has revised their estimates to cover the cost of the building by excluding the items for site development, following the failure of the Phase 2 bidding.

“But it’s very minimal. The revision would also harmonize with the proposed bidding of the operations and management of the building,” Tayao explained.

The DWPH-6 has scheduled a re-bidding on January 2015 and Tayao hoped that many eligible and qualified contractors would participate by then. “Granting that the construction for Phase 2 will start on February 2015, it is safe to say that the ICC building will be completed by June or July,” he added.

The site development, which will cost around P 20 million to P30 million will be sourced out from the DPWH savings, might be done simultaneously with the Phase 2 works.

The P700-million ICC, considered as Senate President Franklin Drilon’s pet project, is being eyed as the venue for the APEC ministerial meetings in Iloilo.

As of last Tuesday, Tayao said they are already 97.4 percent complete of the ICC’s Phase 1. He gave members of the tri-media a tour of the project site to let the public know the status of the ICC construction.

“It’s for the public to know that it’s a convention center and not an ordinary building. There’s no way of comparing the two structures,” he said.

Some sectors earlier claimed that ICC building was overpriced at P700 million. Initially, its cost was pegged at less than P500 million with funds coming from the the Priority Development Assistance Fund and the Disbursement Acceleration Program allowances given to Drilon.

The Department of Tourism has allocated P200 million as its share of project.  (FREEMAN)