Unfinished sports center under probe

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The Committee on Infrastructure of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) will investigate the unfinished construction of Capiz Cultural and Sports Center inside the Capiz Villareal Stadium here.

Board member Gilbert Ardivilla, committee on infrastructure chairman, will call a forensic structural investigation on the project which was implemented by the past administration.

There are claims that the project started without a building permit and no coordination with the provincial board as to the site of the edifice.

But according to Board Member Jonathan Sonny Besa, the representative of the contractor, the documents were not included in the project’s bill of quantities.

“Sa amon side wala ini na-include sa bill of quantity ang mga paper works kon building permit ang paga istoryahan,” Besa said.

Considering that it was already started and about 70 percent completed, the local government has no other reason to stop the project.

Ardivilla said they will investigate if the contractor secured the structural integrity of the project to avoid hazards during natural calamities.

The project started on June 30, 2021 and was supposed to be finished on July 24, 2022.

But it was temporarily stopped after a suspension order was issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) because of the complaints.

The project was funded by Senator Francis Tolentino to the tune of P60 million.

According to Ardivilla, the contractor including the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Provincial Engineers Office (PEO) will have a lot of explaining to do regarding the project.