Sigma cemetery construction halted over ‘irregularities’

By Felipe V Celino

SIGMA, Capiz – Construction of the municipal cemetery here has been halted by Mayor Dante Rizal Eslabon due to concerns over project irregularities.

Eslabon, in a recent media interview, revealed the local government’s decision to temporarily cease construction, citing the discovery that the property’s mother title has not been transferred to the municipal government, despite the completion of the payment process.

The project, financed by a P37,876,050 loan and P4,223,682.42 in equity from a banking institution, was initially slated to be completed within 215 calendar days in 2022.

However, the contractor, MBM Construction, requested an additional 712 days, totaling 927 calendar days, and the project remains unfinished.

Awaiting an explanation for the delay from the contractor, Mayor Eslabon has involved the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to examine the actions of the previous administration, led by former mayor and current Vice Mayor Christopher Andaya.

Eslabon and Andaya were previously affiliated with the same political party.