Sagada town BFP building vacant; contractor unpaid

This two-storey supposed building of the Bureau of Fire Protection(BFP)  at sitio Nangonogan, Sagada Mountain Province is unoccupied  despite its completion a few years ago. The contractor says he was not paid for constructing it.

By Gina Dizon

SAGADA, Mountain Province – A two-story supposed building of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) here at sitio Nangonogan in this tourist town remains unoccupied despite its completion a few years ago.  
    For whatever reason, BFP regional officials are not responding to questions why this is so.
    This, despite Senior Supt. Robert Pacis, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Regional Director of BFP- Cordillera Administrative Region having been sent registered letter and email.
    To date, BFP personnel have not transferred to the new building and remain in their small office space located between St. Theodore’s Hospital and Sagada Community Consumers Cooperative store.
Fire trucks are parked in front of the rented space.
    Said building was built in 2017 and finished in 2019  by the winning contractor who was awarded the project  and given notice to proceed.
    The 2-storey building funded by BFP has ample space for the two fire trucks of the BFP here including offices for staff to occupy.
    Engr. Thomas Batnag who spearheaded construction of the building said the contract cost has not yet been paid as of now despite repeated follow up with officers of the regional BFP office.

Said building was built on a 200-square meter lot with a 2016 contract of usufruct with BFP and the lot owner Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines (EDNP).

Said contract with a period of 25 years was then entered into with Regional BFP Supt. Maria Sofia Mendoza renewable at the option of both parties to either renew or terminate.

RA 6975 known as Dept. of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Act of 1990 provides there should be at least one fire station of a city of municipality.