Monday, October 06, 2008 Cogon market's BOT contract in spotlight anew
THE discovery of Cogon market's malfunctioning sprinkler system draws fresh attention to the propriety of City Hall's impending re-purchase of the city's two semi-private markets to the tune of hundreds of million in taxpayers' money.
Mayor Constantino Jaraula had earlier said the buy-out package -- initially pegged at P377 million -- hit a snag because the Commission on Audit (COA), which is reviewing the engineering plans of both markets, discovered some missing equipment.
For instance, Mayor Jaraula said state auditors found that the three-storey Cogon market had no back-up generator contrary to what its construction plan say.
Last Friday's fire that started at Cogon's third-floor could be another potential hitch to the buy-back plan: the stand pipes and fire sprinklers failed to activate all throughout the 25-minute blaze.
In an interview with Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro, Inspector Richard Baang, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) deputy for operations, said his men had to use their fire truck's water in containing the fire because the building's stand pipe and fire sprinklers that were directly under the bunk of building electrician Joseph Tindoy, were "inoperable."
Should City Hall rush to a huge deal despite mounting evidence that it could be shortchanged?
Lawyer Manolo Tagarda doesn't think so. In an earlier interview, the lawyer for former Cogon vendors who sought the nullification of Cogon's Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) contract, said City Hall had no business selling or buying properties that are under dispute in courts.
Tagarda also warned COA from making hasty review of both BOT agreements, saying the state auditing agency should first reckon whether the two markets can change hands when the legality of their respective contracts are being assailed. (DVA/Cong Corrales)
