VM, Council hit city gov’t offices over Baguio project

  After DPWH finds violations, defects

By Aldwin Quitasol

BAGUIO CITY – The City Council headed by Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan assailed the Baguio City Building and Architecture Office (CBAO) and City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) over an infrastructure project by the city government here at tourist area in Wright Park, Pacdal.
    This after the Dept. of Public Works and Highways City District Engineering Office found violations, defects among other problems in project construction. Wright Park is one of favorite spots of visitors where folks enjoy horseback-riding among others.
    The DPWH informed the City Council the project was funded by the national government worth P30 million from taxpayers' money.
    The said agency provided pictures of foundations of the multi-purpose building where steel bars were not of standard quality while installation of posts and beams was poorly done by the contractor.
    The CBAO and CEPMO are implementing offices of said project.
    Olowan said they were surprised it was the DPWH that discovered the problematic project instead of implementing agencies like CBAO and CEPMO who should be doing regular inspection and monitoring of the project.
    The vice mayor said they were wondering why the CBAO and CEPMO did not look at the matter when there were many technical experts from the local government of Baguio.
    Architect Johnny Degay of the CBAO told the City Council they would start strict monitoring of the controversial project.
    He said they already formed a monitoring team that will conduct daily inspections on construction of the supposed multi-purpose building.
    The City Council agreed to pass a resolution directing CBAO and CEPMO to furnish them reports of the accomplishments on the construction so they will see development of the project.