Drilon: Overpricing issue delaying ICC completion, jeopardizing Iloilo’s Apec hosting

Sen. Franklin Drilon. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines–Senate President Franklin Drilon on Friday blamed the  “malicious”  and “baseless”  allegations against the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) on the  delays of  its construction that may imperil the  province’s chance to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meetings in 2015.

Drilon said the accusations made by a known political operator against the ICC, which is now the subject of investigation by the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, were “directly responsible for the failure of bidding for the second phase of the ICC’s construction.”

He was apparently referring to former provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada, who alleged that  the project  was  overpriced  but admitted  during a Senate hearing that he had no evidence to support  his claim.

“Because of the malicious and baseless allegations against the construction of the ICC, contractors and other participants are getting afraid that their names and businesses will be the next target of lies being concocted, and that their names will be dragged into the issue,” Drilon said in a statement.

He then noted the statements of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region VI Director Edilberto Tayao, who admitted that the ICC project is facing delays because contractors have apprehension participating in the bidding to complete the project.

“Contractors with the capability to complete a project as big as the ICC did not join anymore, and those who remained were hesitant to bid at lower than P200 million, which is above the project’s approved budget of contract of P187 million,” the  statement quoted Tayao as saying.

Major contractors who had previously participated in the bidding for the ICC’s first phase did not do so anymore in the second bidding conducted last October 20, the statement further said.

Due to the delay, Tayao said, the project’s completion was pushed back to May or June of 2015.

“It is unfortunate that just because of lies, and of spiteful and baseless allegations hurled against the project and its proponents and implementers, Ilonggos could lose the opportunity of hosting the 2015 Apec meetings, along with all the tourism and economic developments prospects that this event brings,” Drilon said.

The Senate leader said he agreed with the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Iloilo City that the ICC overpricing issue could “delay the edifice’s completion and jeopardize Iloilo City’s hosting of the APEC ministerial meetings.”

“If that happens, Ilonggos stand to lose the chance to make new jobs and sources of livelihoods in their communities. This is a very rare opportunity we fear we can never have again,” said Drilon.

While he promised to continue to answer questions regarding his participation in the ICC project, the Senate leader appealed that Iloilo and its developmental plans should be spared from politically-motivated smear campaigns.

“I have nothing to hide, and I will hide nothing. But this sinister agenda of some should not spoil the progress of Ilonggos, who have been trying to achieve their dreams of progress in the past years, made possible by opportunities provided by the present administration,” said Drilon.

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