ILOILO – The allegation that the P40-million three-storey public market of Cabatuan town currently being constructed is anomalous could be politically motivated, according to Mayor Ronilo Caspe.
An anonymous complaint was lodged at the Office of the Ombudsman claiming that the project did not go through proper bidding processes.
Caspe said there was a bidding and contractor CHEDMARIL won.
He also said the municipality of Cabatuan does not hold the money for the project but the Landbank of the Philippines and it is this bank that releases the payment to the contractor depending on the percentage of accomplishment.
The public market project is being funded through a loan from Landbank.
Caspe also said the public market is now “96 percent” complete contrary to the 60 percent claim of the anonymous complainant.
The market would be totally completed before this year is over, according to Caspe.
The only hitch in the construction is the constant raining, he added.
Construction of the three-storey market started in 2017. According to the complaint, the contractor lacked equipment.
Caspe said his office is open to anyone intending to scrutinize documents related to the project.
The mayor found it intriguing that the complaint was filed as the midterm elections are drawing near.
“Wala man ini siya nag gwa nga bagay kun wala mag-umpisa ang politika,” said Caspe./PN
