Tuesday, January 02, 2007 Council gives mayor authority to sign contract to build gov't center By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
AMID pressure, majority of the members of the Bacolod City Council voted "yes" to allow Mayor Evelio Leonardia to sign the contract between the City and Hilmarc's Construction Corporation (HCC) to construct the P394-million new government center.
In their special session last Saturday, 10 members of the City Council voted yes, three abstained and one cast a no vote.
Those who voted to authorize the mayor were Councilors Greg Gasataya, Al Victor Espino, Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Dindo Ramos, Homer Bais, Ann Marie Palermo, Napoleon Cordova, Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, Marx Louie de la Rosa and Arturo Parreño.
Councilors Lyndon Caña, Reynold Iledan and Catalino Alisbo abstained while Councilor Elmer Sy voted a no.
Vice Mayor and Presiding Officer Renecito Novero explained that after Mayor Leonardia signs the contract, it will be returned to the council for ratification.
"But it will depend on the mayor when he will sign the contract and return it to the SP (Council)," Novero said.
Leonardia said he will sign the contract in the presence of a representative from HCC first hour of the office Wednesday.
Deadline
December 31 is the deadline set by the Gonzaga family for the City Government to use the 5-hectare lot they donated to the City.
However, they said they will forfeit the donation should the City fail to use it before the deadline.
On the part of HCC, lawyer Rogelio Peig II, counsel for the firm, said their company is ready to start the construction even on Dec. 31 if only to beat the deadline.
"We are ready anytime," Peig said in a phone interview, adding that "We have all the hi-tech construction equipment and ample manpower to begin the works in Bacolod anytime."
"HCC can even start the works without getting any downpayment as long as the all the required documents and the contract will be signed to legitimize our operations," he further said.
HCC, a multi-billion construction company owned by Engineer Efren Canlas, became controversial in Bacolod after it bested eight other construction firms who joined the pre-bidding last October.
Peig, however, said that they have always been confident of surpassing the controversy "for we believe that we submitted all the legal documents and we are operating legitimately."
"Even those who are questioning our bid price are free to scrutinize our bid. We are open to anybody so public may know that we are not hiding anything," he added.
Peig said that despite the controversy, HCC is still committed to build the best NCG in Bacolod that will serve not just a legacy of their firm but a legacy to all Bacoleños.
