Magpale adamant on PB approval for payments

THE bulk of the remaining P300 million in payables that have yet to be settled by the Capitol will have to be addressed by incoming Cebu Gov. Hilarion “Junjun” Davide III, acting Gov. Agnes Magpale said yesterday.

Magpale said she will only release payment for the payables if the contracts were ratified by the Provincial Board (PB).

“It is up to the PB if they ratify those contracts,” she said.

At present, Magpale said she continues to seek legal advice from the Capitol’s lawyers and consultants.

“These are the problems that will greet Davide when he assumes office on July 1,” she said.

Magpale earlier said the Capitol settled more than half of the payables that amounted to P900 million but a lot of contracts from past projects remain unpaid.

She said two days ago, a representative from ConEquip Philippines visited her office and demanded payment for the P67.5 million cost of tourist buses used in the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo program.

The payable for the buses ballooned up to P85 million if the cost of the seven additional units are added, Magpale said.

She said the province cannot afford to pay all of the pending payables together, some of which date back to 2008.

Most of these payables she said were accumulated in the administration of suspended Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

“We will also be accountable to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Sandiganbayan if we proceed with the payments,” she said.

It was earlier reported that the Capitol still has to pay for the bulk water project in Carmen town and the Filinvest project in Apas, barangay Lahug among others.

On top of that, the Capitol pays the bills for food catering, contractors, janitorial and medical staff services.

From P81 million in January, Magpale said Capitol has accumulated P350 million in funds due to tighter spending. Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos