CEBU, Philippines - Former Talisay City mayor and now City Councilor Socrates Fernandez dared the Commission on Audit (COA) to investigate anew the construction of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) detention center in Barangay Maghaway that COA said was overpriced.
In its post audit report, COA said the Talisay City Youth Center building was overpriced, but the city’s engineering office said the report was based on the original plan.
“The truth of the matter is that the original plan was amended and the amount was adjusted,†Fernandez said, adding, that the amended construction plan and adjusted amount were also sent to COA for reference and guidance.
One of the amendments, Fernandez said, was to reduce the area of the fence perimeter because Maghaway officials reportedly asked that a part of the lot near the youth center be spared for right road of way and playground.
An audit observation report says that as of June 30, 2013, the contract price of P2.874 million for the construction exceeded COA’s estimate by P176,977 or 22.33 percent above the COA cost evaluation.
Per contract review rendered by the Technical and Information technology Services, COA discovered that the construction of the detention center, perimeter fence, entrance gate and guard house was found to be P125,139.33 or 19.19 percent, which is above COA’s cost evaluation.
But Fernandez said the fence foundation was deepened and lentel beams were added and the height of the fence was already doubled.
Fernandez also said that the slope terrain was elevated with filling materials following adjustments by the city engineering office.
“If COA will make another inspection basing upon the amended plan as built, they will also inevitably adapt the feasible adjustment according to the program of work adjusted,†he said. – JMO (FREEMAN)