Ombud inquiry eyed on projects

Barangay officials were incapable of implementing infrastructure projects in their areas, a City Hall investigation team said in its report.

The team assigned by Mayor Michael Rama will submit their findings to the City Council and the Ombudsman-Visayas for further investigation.

They said barangay officials would name those involved in influencing the implementation of the projects.

The projects that turned out to be substandard were funded under Cebu City Hall’s Community Micro Assistance Program (CMAP) during the administration of then mayor and now Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district.

The team headed by City Legal Officer Joseph Bernaldez said there were no clear guidelines and proper monitoring from the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW).

“The case may be further investigated by a proper body with more coercive, subpoena or even contempt powers in order to ferret out the truth that had been restrained during this investigation due to the team’s inherent limitations,” the team said in its report.

The team is verifying allegations of anomalies that resulted in substandard projects implemented by contractor EM Arante Construction.

Their July 29 report was distributed to local media yesterday.

Osmeña earlier sought the assistance of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to inspect the substandard projects.

The DPWH inspection team said 70 projects worth at least P80 million were awarded to EM Arante Construction.

Rama said while barangay officials admitted that some “personalities” facilitated their implementation of infrastructure projects, they refused to identify these persons. The team said the officials were unfamiliar with the bidding process. They said only three bidders including EM Arante Construction joined the bidding to the exclusion of others.

They said barangay officials had “to rely on staff and other persons, which made them vulnerable to manipulations.”  Doris C. Bongcac Chief of Reporters