Wednesday, August 01, 2007 P72M for renovation too much: Osmeña
Although it can be funded, Osmeña asked the council to cut down the cost by using their old office furniture instead of buying new ones.
Osmeña also admitted that a portion of the additional renovation cost will go to the air-conditioning system that he pushed for, which will cost the City some P25 million.
The mayor intends to make the legislative building the pilot structure for the district cooling system that is seen to give City Hall a 25-percent savings in electricity bills.
If proven efficient, the cooling system will be used in the entire South Road Properties (SRP). Bio-gas collected from the Inayawan landfill will be used to power the cooling system.
The council reported last week that they need P72 million more to complete the legislative building, including P20 million for new office furniture.
“I personally feel that it’s (P72 million) too much. But the air conditioning, that is my fault but we’re pushing through with it because that’s the model for the SRP,” Osmeña told a news conference yesterday.
“If they need additional amount for expensive furniture and tiles, I’m not in favor of that but sige na lang, it’s their agenda. Anyway it’s going to be there for a long time. But they should use the old furniture. Whatever it is, I think we can fund it,” he continued.
In a phone interview yesterday, Councilor Nestor Archival said they will just use their old office equipment and furniture since they still have not identified fund sources for the additional P72 million needed.
The City Council is already working on their application for an occupancy permit so they can transfer their offices by first week of December.
Apart from cutting down on electricity consumption, the mayor is also looking forward to earning “carbon credits” in the form of cash incentives when he introduces the cooling system, which will use lithium bromide absorption chillers instead of compressors. The chillers will be powered by steam, and not by regular fuel.
The Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change allows governments to earn carbon credits for helping reduce carbon dioxide emissions. (LCR)
