BACOLOD City – Three committees of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) have dismissed claims that the construction cost of the Bacolod City Legislative Building has exceeded P1 billion, clarifying that its original contract price stands at P514.675 million.
Councilor Thaddy Sayson, chairperson of the SP Committee on Appropriations and Finance, described the allegations as “fake news,” explaining that the additional P250 million being attributed to the project is intended for a proposed second phase that has yet to undergo bidding.
Sayson said the total projected cost would reach only P764.675 million if the proposed additional component is approved and implemented.
In their Second Partial Joint Committee Report, the three committees emphasized that the P250-million allocation should not be included in the original contract cost.
Meanwhile, Councilor Caesar Distrito, chairperson of the Committee on Government Assets, disclosed that the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has released only P350.653 million of the original P514.675-million contract allocation.
The project is being financed through the city’s P4.171-billion loan from DBP secured during the previous administration.
Distrito clarified that the release of loan proceeds does not automatically mean the amount has been paid to the contractor, as payments are made through partial billings based on verified construction accomplishments.
He said the contractor must submit accomplishment reports and corresponding billings, which are evaluated before the bank authorizes payment.
Distrito also noted that the Legislative Building has a significantly larger floor area than the New Government Center, which was constructed nearly two decades ago.
For his part, Councilor Al Espino, chairperson of the Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government, said the contractor’s claim that the building is nearing completion remains subject to technical validation.
He said engineers from the City Engineer’s Office will assess the reported construction accomplishments, which will also be independently verified by DBP technical personnel.
Espino stressed that accomplishment reports should not be accepted without proper inspection and technical evaluation.
The three committee chairpersons maintained that discussions on the project should be based on official contract documents, DBP certifications and verified engineering reports to establish its actual cost, financial releases and construction progress./PN
