Test Drive Volume 1, No. 6 | Page 10

Vanguard 10 Nov. 21 - 26, 2016 City Govy FB page Are the fountains finished? By Jun Tarroza Ormoc City - In the eyes of the public, the fountains in front of the city hall are fully operational as demonstrated last October 30 when they were opened for everyone to see. Mayor Richard Gomez himself said they are just putting the finishing touches for them to become fully operational. But as of last week, the fountains were blanketed with blue plastic tarp around each of them. No billboard signs were seen around them to indicate project name, cost, name of the contractor, duration and target completion of the project, information that the public are entitled to. In a check with the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) where biddings are supposed to be posted, the fountains were bid in two separate amounts. The fountains are supposed to cost P13,332,794.53. The first one worth P2,832,794.53 was published in PhilGEPS on October 6, 2016. The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) chaired by City Administrator Vincent L. Emnas approved an “Invitation to Bid” with a closing date on Oct. 26, 2016. The work includes “excavation, reinforcing steel, concrete works, waterproofing, installation of Ashlar Stone, stainless steel works, and electrical works.” It should last no more than 60 calendar days. In another invitation to bid for a project worth P10.5million, it was formally opened to public bidding on November 8, 2016. The project involves the “supply and installation of multi-pattern modular fountain,” and this was also in front of the old city hall and public plaza. By this time, somebody should have been already awarded the contract Cucina de Amelia But it appears that the fountains have been worked on earlier because as of October 30, it was already gushing with water amid colorful lights. A check with the bids and awards committee vice chairman Engr. Domardoni Cayanong regarding the status of these projects proved futile. The said official did not return messages sent by this paper or answer telephone calls.# Dealer & merchandiser of imported kitchenwares Maharlika Highway, Brgy. Tagak, Carigara,Leyte.