City Hall tries to beat ban on infrastructure projects

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama wants the construction of the Carbon Market to start soon to avoid the election infrastructure ban, which will begin on March 29.

“I want it to be done faster with the hope of being able to make the necessary exemptions,” Rama said in his regular press conference yesterday.

The Cebu City Government conducted the pre-bidding for the Unit 2 Carbon Market construction project last week.

This, after Rama ended City Hall’s contract with Young Builders Corp. (YBC) over delays in the market’s construction.

Bidding

City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete said interested bidders make clarification on the work to be done during the pre-bidding.

The bidding is scheduled on March 6.

Although its contract with City Hall was terminated, YBC can still bid for the same project.

If all goes well, Poblete is confident the construction of Carbon Market will beat the election ban.

If the bidding is done on March 6, the notice of award to the winning bidder can be given in a week's time.

If all requirements are complied with, construction can begin before the election ban.

If not, Rama said, he can request for exemption from the Commission on Elections as the project is part of City Hall’s services.

The mayor, who will seek reelection in the May 13 elections, considers the Carbon

Market among the priorities of his administration.