Despalo says it is not his fault if some contractors default on jobs

Despalo says it is not his fault if

some contractors default on jobs

ZAMBOANGA CITY (ZNS) –  City Engineer Luis Vicente  Despalo  of the  City Engineer ’s Office (CEO) yesterday said that it’ is not his fault if the  contractor failed or did not complete the projects.

In an interview, Despalo said that the CEO is not the office that  awards projects to contractors.

It is the Bid and Awards Committee or BAC  that awarded the project and must see that the projects are implemented in full, he said.

If some  of these projects were not completed and abandoned by the contractors for some reasons to the other, it no longer under the jurisdiction  of the CEO .

“Culpa ba di mio si yan abandon el contractor. Culpa ba di mio si  ya palta  sen el contractor, “ Despalo said.

Recent reports revealed that some projects were abandoned by the contractors for lack of funds to finance the projects.

It is not clear if the contractors ran out of money to complete the project or if the amount estimated for the project was not enough to complete it.

Most of these uncompleted projects are school where major defects found were in the construction of comfort rooms.

There are also a number of school buildings, like the one in Bolong where the contractor abandoned the project which is estimated to be completed by only 75 percent.

There are also barangay halls to include the one at Capisan, that were abandoned by the contractors for one reason or the other.

To date, the city government has not filed cases against the contractors who are duty bound to complete the projects awarded to them by the BAC.

Projects are supposed to be covered with surety bonds and a warranty period.

There is no record where the city government confiscated any surety bond or demanding repairs within the warranty period.

This being so, money spent for uncompleted projects are considered lost.   (letty M. Militante) (101014)