Firm wants P28M for SRP road

A CONTRACTOR is seeking payment of P28.5 million from the Cebu City government for work on the Mambaling access road in the South Road Properties (SRP).

Ediwn Merin, Toa Corp.’s consultant, appeared before the City Council and said their company shouldn’t be blamed for defects found in the road project that was completed six years ago.

He said the defects were caused by lack of proper road maintenance by the city.

“They said it’s not their responsibility to maintain the road after the turnover was made,” said Councilor Jose Daluz III in yesterday’s executive session with TOA representatives.

Merin showed PowerPoint slides to brief the council on the scope of work done.

He said the firm even went beyond what was specified in the project design prepared by Katahira Group, the city technical consultant on the project.

He said TOA added a temporary drainage system on the sides of the road project, a variation on the Katahira design as maintenance.

Merin said it would cost the city P5 million to P6 million to build a permanent drainage at the Mambaling access road.

The road project had had a one-year warranty. The project started in 2002 and completed two years later.

Merin said the project was already turned over and accepted by the city shortly after completion.

“The city even made a report to JBIC (Japan Bank for International Cooperation which granted the SRP loan) on the completion of the road project. But the defects on the road were not yet seen there,” Daluz said quoting Merin’s report.

Daluz said the council will meet again to decide on their next step.

“They are not asking for interest payments. If they go to court, there’s ‘s a big possibility that the city will lose the case,” the councilor said.

Daluz said the ad hoc committee tasked to investigate the case recommended payment of TOA’s claims. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac