BACOLOD City — The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has apologized to Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya over coordination lapses and delays in the more than P300-million redevelopment of the Bacolod Public Plaza and the fountain at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC).
During a meeting at the mayor’s office on October 8, TIEZA officials acknowledged shortcomings in communication and follow-up efforts as the city pressed the agency to address construction deficiencies, submit project documents and restore features affected by the rehabilitation.
TIEZA Assistant Chief Operating Officer Engineer Gregory A. Oller of the Architectural and Engineering Sector apologized to Gasataya, acknowledging that the agency had fallen short in coordinating with the city government.
“We lacked coordination time, so we were not able to follow up. We also lacked communication, which resulted in the delay. We apologize, Mayor,” Oller said.
He cited manpower limitations, noting that TIEZA has only 12 engineers nationwide and does not maintain a regional engineering office.
The apology followed the city government’s earlier rejection of claims that it had failed to coordinate with TIEZA over the ongoing projects.
City Engineer Loben Rafael D. Ceballos said the city had consistently monitored construction and raised technical concerns from the planning stage through implementation.
“We are coordinating with TIEZA, and whenever we have concerns, we immediately inform them,” Ceballos told reporters on October 7.
He said the city had maintained communication with TIEZA and the contractor regarding permits, technical requirements, construction activities and deviations from approved plans.
Ceballos added that coordination was documented through a group chat where technical issues and construction concerns were discussed.
However, he emphasized that TIEZA, as the implementing agency, remained responsible for directly supervising the projects, while the city served as the end user tasked with monitoring the works and identifying deficiencies.
He cited concerns involving the design of grills and finishing works, among other construction details.
In its response to Gasataya’s September 30 letter, TIEZA attributed portions of the delays and cost adjustments to additional works, technical requirements and revisions encountered during implementation.
Oller said additional works were incorporated through approved Variation Orders, including items initially considered part of the local government’s counterpart obligations but later accommodated by TIEZA to address actual site conditions.
The agency said these changes expanded the project scope and required adjustments to the contract cost and implementation period.
TIEZA also cited delays in the city government’s review and approval of technical revisions involving structural details, concrete floor topping works and mural finishing at the BCGC fountain.
According to the agency, the affected activities could not proceed without the required technical direction and approval, resulting in rescheduling and affecting succeeding construction works.
TIEZA’s current approved and revised completion date is January 27, 2027, although the agency and its contractor have committed to exhausting the necessary resources and efforts to finish the projects within 2026.
During the October 8 meeting, Gasataya underscored the need for transparency and asked TIEZA to present project documents, including the Program of Works and Bill of Quantities, at a public meeting for review by stakeholders and residents.
Both sides also agreed that the plaza’s original greenery and iconic checkered flooring would be restored at TIEZA’s expense. The agency said restoration was covered by the project’s contingency provisions and that its contractor had been instructed to restore all portions affected by the rehabilitation.
Gasataya reiterated that the city would not accept the completed projects until all works met the required standards.
“We will not accept any turnover until the work is done, and we will make sure it is done right,” the mayor said.
The controversy intensified after the city raised concerns over unfinished and defective works at the plaza, including drainage problems, surface ponding, lighting deficiencies, unsecured fixtures and incomplete installations.
Despite the issues, the city government and TIEZA agreed to continue coordinating to resolve the remaining technical concerns and ensure the proper completion of the redevelopment projects./PN
