THE Commission on Audit (COA) flagged several irregularities in the post-qualification process for the rehabilitation of the rubberized track oval at the Cebu City Sports Center, including premature construction before contract signing, delayed completion and the contractor’s expired licenses and documents.
State auditors, in their 2024 audit report, found that civil works for the track oval began before a formal contract was signed and a notice to proceed was issued, in violation of procurement laws.
Despite this, the project suffered significant delays and the facility sustained damage again just months after repairs.
The COA also revealed that the contractor, SBD Builders Inc., held an expired license from the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board and submitted outdated eligibility documents at key stages of the bidding and
implementation.
State auditors questioned the contractor’s qualifications and equipment ownership.
Photos taken by SunStar Cebu’s junior journo Zhan Francisco Ramirez on July 28, 2025, show significant new damage to the track oval’s surface. The oval was last repaired before December 2024, after sustaining damage during the Palarong Pambansa in July 2024.
Mayor Nestor Archival said Thursday, July 31, that he will meet with SBD Builders to discuss the complaints about the facility.
SBD Builders is also the contractor of the delayed Pulangbato Bridge project.
The rehabilitation and renovation of the track oval was part of the City Government’s preparation for the 2024 Palarong Pambansa. The project was bid out and awarded during the term of then-mayor Michael Rama.
Former mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, who led the Palaro preparations after Rama’s suspension and subsequent dismissal, said in a July 8 interview that his administration did not fully pay the contractor despite the completion of repairs. He said it is now up to the new administration to decide on the contractor’s payment.
Archival said he lacks information on whether the contractor has been fully compensated and will investigate the matter. He said he will also review the project’s bidding process.
In a text message to SunStar Cebu on July 31, Shaun Doherty, owner of SBD Builders Inc., said he is waiting for a meeting with the Archival administration regarding the track oval concerns.
Doherty declined to comment further until he meets with Archival. / EHP