Friday, October 26, 2007 Palace not delaying release of bridge fund: Nogie
DAVAO City Representative Prospero Nograles cried foul over the malicious speculations that the Office of the President has intentionally delayed the release of the funds for the construction of the Governor Generoso Bridge I.
"Do not believe theses peculations," Nograles said in an interview Wednesday. "This is between the President and me."
After more than half a year, no construction of the bridge has taken place.
Prior to the May 14 elections, politicians kept assuring the people of Davao that the bridge would be constructed soon.
Some Dabawenyos have speculated that the President is no longer keen on the immediate construction of the bridge after the administration ticket of senatorial candidates fared poorly in the city, just as it did in the entire country.
"Ako ang naghanap ng (I looked for the) funding, so I should know," Nograles said.
He said about P230 million has been released for the construction of the bridge. "The money is already there," Nograles said.
The congressman also added that it was he who pleaded before the President for the release of the funds.
Nograles added the primary cause in the delay of the release of the funding was because the law on procurement, bidding, and award had to be followed.
"We have to conduct a public bidding and pre-qualify contractors," Nograles said.
Due to the extent of the construction, only contractors deemed to belong to the Triple A category could take part. "Only the really big contractors could take part in the construction, wala na yung mga maliliit," he said.
Reports gathered by Sun.Star Davao revealed that Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. attempted to pull down the cost of the construction of the bridge to less than P200 million but failed.
The design for the bridge was submitted as early as July this year and subsequently approved a month later.
A source from DPWH, who requested anonymity, said the cost was deliberated upon to ensure that bridge would be constructed with the least amount and in a most efficient manner.
Ebdane wanted to ensure that the cost for the construction of the bridge would be reasonable. The source refused to answer when asked if Ebdane found the initial proposed cost of P300 million as too high. (CPM)
