Drilon project faces another delay
ILOILO CITY—The construction of the controversial P747-million Iloilo Convention Center (ICC), a pet project of Senate President Franklin Drilon, has suffered another delay with the imminent failure of another public bidding for the second phase of the project.
Two contractors, which submitted bids on Jan. 13, are facing disqualification due to requirement deficiencies, according to Edilberto Tayao, Western Visayas director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Tayao said the technical working group for the project is set to recommend a failure of bidding after a post-bid evaluation showed the ineligibility of Hilmarcs Construction Corp. (HCC) and Henry S. Oaminal Construction & General Merchandise.
HCC, which is building the project’s first phase worth P492 million, failed to meet the deadline to submit a tax clearance.
No experience
The DPWH also considered Henry S. Oaminal Construction ineligible because it lacked equipment and experienced workers for the project.
Tayao said the contractors could appeal their disqualification before the declaration of a failure of bidding becomes final.
The second phase of the ICC, which has an approved budget of P188 million, will involve mainly finishing works including power, water, electricity and glass fixtures. It includes the installation of two escalators and three elevators.
The first bidding for the second phase, conducted on Oct. 20 last year, failed because the lowest bidder was disqualified for delays in other projects it is building for the DPWH.
HCC, which is also the contractor of the controversial Makati City Hall Building II, was awarded the contract for the first phase through negotiated procurement after two failed public bids.
Charged
Government officials, including Drilon, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., are facing charges for alleged overpricing and other irregularities in the ICC.
But the officials have dismissed the allegations of former Iloilo provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada as malicious and baseless. In a Senate hearing, Mejorada himself said he had no documentary evidence to prove his allegations.
Tayao said the second phase of the project, which is scheduled for completion in 150 days, could still be finished on time despite the imminent failure of the second bidding.
The project is being rushed for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meetings in the city in September.
The Regional Development Council of Western Visayas last month passed a resolution, urging the DPWH and national government to expedite the construction of the ICC.
The ICC sits on a 1.7-hectare lot donated by giant real estate developer Megaworld Corp. at the Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao District.
The ICC is designed to be a state-of-the-art convention center with a 3,700-seat main convention hall on the ground floor and function rooms on the second floor that can accommodate 560 persons.
