DAILY LOSSES
Document backs claim of P7T/day losses over delayed substation
As early as October 16, 2002, top officials and key figures of the Iloilo Provincial Government knew that at least P7,000 a day is wasted over the non-operation of the Capitol power substation.
This, The News Today (TNT) validated in a four-page document obtained from an anonymous Capitol source over the weekend. Copies of such, the accompanying message went, was also submitted to the Sanggunian Panlalawigan's (SP) Committee of the Whole.
With the delay in the promised investigation, the document was released to dispel doubts and speculations of hearsay information regarding the estimated losses incurred on the project's delay.
To recall, Vice Governor Roberto Armada last week claimed that the Capitol incur considerable daily losses with the non-operation of the power substation.
Governor Niel Tupas Sr. however downplayed Armada's claim. He challenged the Vice Governor to produce documents.
The document obtained by TNT was signed by former Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) – Technical Working Group (TWG) chairman, Simeon Leal. It also bore the signature of Governor Niel Tupas, then BAC chairman.
The statement on the P7,000 per day losses “more or less,” was made by Engineer Salvador Castellano of the Provincial Engineer's Office (PEO). Such came after Ricardo Provido, BAC member commented on the effects of postponing the bidding process.
At that time, the Capitol was still considering the offers made by two bidders, Meiscor Builders Incorporated and JITS Construction. Both went beyond the Approved Agency Estimate (AAE) of P12,964,249.99. Meiscor's bid was P31 million while JITS was P23,818,960. Additional documents would show a different AAE of P13 million with Meiscor Builders lowering its bid to P22.5 million.
“Mr. Provido commented, we are always hearing that any postponement would cause some amount of money. What factors may cause the provincial government losses (sic) in case there is a delay in bidding, because the guidelines state within fifteen days? So what would be the losses that the province would incur within fifteen days delay if ever we adopt the second option? How much would be the savings and how much we would be losing?,” excerpts of the minutes of the BAC meeting stated.
Based on the document, present during the meeting alongside the Governor were Provincial Treasurer Melba Sullivan, Board Member Bernardo Silla, Manuel Mejorada, Provincial Engineer Gracianito Lucero, Engineer Romeo Andig, General Services Office Chief Ramie Salcedo, Pacific Orient Construction's Ruel Magalang and Chito Osorio and contractors, Joefer Espino of JITS Gerardo Camaya and Rodolfor Neri of Miescor.
The issue on the delayed Capitol power substation is the subject of investigation by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan's committee of the whole. With an earlier nod gathered from the majority bloc for an investigation by the Committee of the Whole, the move faced indefinite suspension for technical reasons.
No internal rules and guidelines, no probe, the majority decided. It was not immediately known when the investigation will be done however Board Member Silla made the assurance that the delay is just temporary.
“Delayed yet but it will definitely be pursued and the questions I then raised must and will be answered,” he ended.