Only P5.9M of P7M budget awarded to contractors of Batiano bridge project
While the public clamors over the delayed construction of Batiano Bridge in Brgy. Boulevard, Molo questions are now raised as to where the rest of the P7 million budget for the said project went.
The News Today (TNT) learned that only P5,907,403.05 was awarded to two contractors that will undertake the project.
A source told TNT that the P3,980,448.05 was awarded to Alfonso Tan of the International Builders Corporation (IBC) and P1,926,955.45 for BE construction owned by Elena Malaga.
It is not clear on where the Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO) has allocated the remaining P1,092,596.95 of the total budget.
The P7 million budget for the rehabilitation of Batiano Bridge was provided by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Sr. The funds came from his Countrywide Development Fund (CDF). He was then the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives when the budget was allocated.
ICDEO-OIC District Engineer Teodoro E. Castillo was not available for comment when reached for interview over the "missing" budget. Castillo remains elusive to the media.
In Castillo's letter to Mayor Jerry Treñas, he said the total amount for the rehabilitation of the Batiano Bridge is P7 million. The amount is only sufficient for the construction of the substructure and superstructure without any fund left for the demolition of the existing dilapidated bridge structure. The letter is dated March 27, 2006.
The City Engineers Office eventually undertook the demolition of the existing bridge as funded by the city government.
Reports said that the contractors will start their test pile today, August 2. This development is welcomed by the affected residents who are experiencing inconvenience because of the closure of the bridge.
Meanwhile, Treñas admitted he has not yet seen the program design for the construction of the Batiano Bridge. He could not confirm if there is indeed a new project design for the bridge as the ICDEO has not provided him updates on when the construction begins.
Treñas lamented that they have done their part when the ICDEO asked the city government to finance the demolition of the old bridge to pave way for the rehabilitation of the Batiano Bridge. The city spent P500,000 out of the P1 million budget intended for the demolition of the structure.
The mayor expects the ICDEO will fast track the construction when they effected the demolition last July. "They are in a hurry to demolish the structure and yet until now the construction has yet to commence."
To note, residents of barangays Boulevard, San Juan, Calumpang and Calaparan in Molo district have complained about the delayed construction of the Batiano Bridge which is their sole gateway to the City Proper.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) temporarily diverted the route of Calumpang and Calaparan PUJs to Arevalo district but the new route is considered by both commuters and drivers as too long.