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Friday, May 19, 2006
Engineer's office can proceed with roof deck construction
By Barbara Carla R. Quiero
THE City Engineer's Office (CEO) can proceed with the completion of the roof deck project even as a complaint is still filed with the Office of the Ombudsman-Mindanao.
Office of the Ombudsman-Mindanao Spokesperson Marco Buena said the CEO has an executive prerogative whether to continue with the construction of the roof deck or not.
"It's up to them (CEO) whether to proceed or not with the roof deck project. It is not for us to say if they should continue or not," Buena said in an interview.
But, he added, "They should continue on the basis of the National Building Code and follow whatever rules it has to follow in regards with the construction of the roof deck such as the safety requirements."
Buena said CEO chief Leoncio Evasco requested last month for a clearance from the Ombudsman's Office to continue with the roof deck construction.
The project has been shelved after controversies surrounded it among which is the claim that it is structurally flawed.
A structural assessment of the skeleton showed several posts have to be moved and several beams have to be retrofitted.
The roof deck project was initiated at the time when the city engineer was still Engineer Joaquin Cui. When Cui was relieved of the post and Engineer Meinrado Metran was reinstated, Metran initiated its construction based on the approved plans under Cui in 2002.
The construction was stopped, however, following charges of structural flaws and questionable designs.
Metran was also charged by the Ombudsman for neglect of duty.
"If there is a flaw na naman, hindi ma-follow ang rules such as safety requirements, another case will be filed in the future," Buena said.
City Councilor Victorio S. Advincula earlier urged the Ombudsman to hasten the probe of the roof deck project as the project is a glaring landmark of what the 14th City Council has not been able to do.
Sun.Star tried to contact Evasco for comments.
Metran is also pushing for its completion saying that the continued exposure of steel structure to the elements will weaken it and this can entail higher cost.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (May 19, 2006 issue)
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