WHILE it is not yet clear if who is behind the construction of the Negros First Animal Hub at the Panaad Park and Stadium, we are one with Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. in saying that the provincial government will not pay the contractor.
Why would the Capitol pay for the construction work when it hasn’t gone through the bidding process?
According to the governor, the building is already 80 percent complete and that the contractor has already spent P4 million for its construction.
Nevertheless, the provincial government insisted on its decision.
The governor, who said he was not aware of the construction, had already ordered its stoppage.
He said there could be a miscommunication because when the construction started, Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena was on vacation in New Zealand and the late Ian De Ramos, who was head of the Special Projects Division, also died that time.
And the one who took care of the office may not be aware of the project.
Marañon also said an investigating committee will be formed to get to the bottom of this.
Earlier, I Watch Negros Occidental Inc. sent a complaint letter before the Commission on Audit, Office of the Ombudsman and the Provincial Bids and Awards Committee as the questioned the construction of the Animal Hub building without bidding and purchase order.
The Animal Hub is intended for the use of the livestock growers. Its total project cost was pegged at P10 million.
We have to find out who gave the go signal to start the construction of the building.
Otherwise, we don’t want to have a white elephant in the middle of an already booming industry at Panaad.