Timing for Iloilo center bids questioned

ARTIST’S rendering of the Iloilo Convention Center. FROM ILOILO BUSINESS PARK

Former Iloilo provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada Thursday questioned the timing of the publication of the invitation to bid for the second phase of Iloilo Convention Center (ICC).

Mejorada, who had alleged that the P700-million project was overpriced, said in a statement Thursday that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) published the invitation on its website on Dec. 19.

The competitive bidding for the second phase, the plans and budget, which were modified slightly, is scheduled for Jan. 13.

“The DPWH put it up just as the holidays started, when everybody’s attention is turned elsewhere,” Mejorada said in a statement.

The prebid conference, where clarificatory questions could be asked, is set for Dec. 29.

Since there are a lot of holidays at this time, Mejorada contended that bidders for Phase 2 would have fewer chances to buy bid forms and plans and specifications for the project, and fewer chances to submit proposals.

He also noted that the prebid conference would take place on the last working day of the year.

The approved budget for the contract of Phase 2 is P188.68 million, which is a little over P1 million higher than the earlier approved budget. The plans were modified earlier this month after a review of the scope of work. Phase 2 includes all finishing works.

The first bidding for Phase 2 had failed, and another bidding scheduled for earlier this month was canceled so that the review of the scope of work could be conducted.

The contractor for Phase 1 of the project, Hilmarc’s Construction Corp., did not take part in the bidding for Phase 2.

The scarcity of bidders for Phase 2 of ICC came amid Mejorada’s allegations of overpricing and his filing of a plunder case against Senate President Franklin Drilon, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr.

But some senators had scoffed at Mejorada’s allegations after he admitted in a Senate hearing that his statements were based on “whispers” from Iloilo architects and Wikipedia sources.

The ICC is being targeted for completion before the meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in September.