THE contractor working on the rubberized oval track repair at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) is concerned that this week’s 32nd Cebu City Olympics could cause new damage.
Shaun Doherty of SBD Builders, the contractor rehabilitating the CCSC track oval, told SunStar Cebu on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, that a stage had already been set up at the soccer field.
He observed that the track oval had been covered with plywood to allow the transport of heavy equipment and items to the soccer field.
“There is a 100 percent (possibility) that the track oval will be damaged again, especially since it was newly repaired,” Doherty said.
He said they had already completed the repairs following months of delays.
However, Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said in a press conference on Monday that he could not consider the repairs as complete already as he still waits for the report from the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW).
The Cebu City Olympics is scheduled for Dec. 13-18.
Doherty said SBD Builders has yet to receive full payment for the project as they were required to undertake repairs following the damages incurred during the Palarong Pambansa last July.
The contractor earlier vowed to complete the repairs by December, ahead of the Sinulog Festival in January 2025.
With a denied insurance claim, Doherty said the company spent approximately P3.8 million to purchase new rubber materials for the repairs.
Final report
Garcia said he is awaiting the final report from the DEPW before accepting the project.
This includes the certificate of completion, which will be issued to the contractor once all contract provisions have been met.
“The one who will accept [the project] for completion will be the DEPW. I will wait for their report to confirm if the curing is complete and all provisions under the terms of reference have been complied with,” Garcia said.
“As of now, I cannot say it is already complete unless I get the report from the DEPW,” he added.
Test
Garcia said the Cebu City Olympics will test the durability of the newly repaired track oval.
“You can also see if it was caused by poor quality of work. So, we will wait for the DEPW’s final report,” Garcia said.
Garcia noted that the remaining payment for the project will not be released unless the repairs are officially turned over to the City Government.
The City has already paid about 60 percent or P29 million of the P52 million contract cost. / EHP