Thursday, June 19, 2008 Nothing irregular with P24M guesthouse: Ebdane By Carlo P. Mallo
DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane did not find anything irregular with the construction of a P24 million guesthouse at the compound of the Regional Equipment Depot of the DPWH in Davao City.
Ebdane told reporters Wednesday that there is nothing wrong with the repair of the equipment and other infrastructure at the depot, most of which has been left in various forms of deterioration.
"What is the issue there? At least it is being put to use," Ebdane said.
He also refuted the report about the two-storey Spanish-inspired mansion with a beachfront and commands a view of Samal Island that cost the government a minimum of P24 million.
"It is for the whole compound," Ebdane said.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who graced Wednesday's inauguration of Gov. Generoso I bridge, will be spending the night in the said mansion.
The mansion's construction was said to be worth P24 million while the refurbishing reportedly cost another P7 million worth of fixtures that include a grand crystal chandelier hanging on the main room of the structure, and a bathtub that underwent three replacements in order to fit the President's taste.
Apart from the guesthouse, another two-storey structure was also built in the area that will be used to house the Presidential Security Group, Sun.Star Davao sources said. The said structure cost another P15 million.
The management of the seaside mansion has already been transferred to the Office of the President and is reported to be turned into a Malacañang Palace in Mindanao.
Ebdane insisted that it was his initiative since he assumed post as DPWH secretary in 2006 to work on the repairs of the equipment and infrastructure of the department.
"Rather than have these equipment auctioned as bakal, we are repairing them," Ebdane said.
He said the two structures were not built because construction would mean building from the ground up.
