Resource Center project encounters a ‘roadblock’ at PB

This is what the Resource Center Building is expected to look after construction./contributed

THE process towards the construction of the 20-storey resource center at the Capitol compound has hit a snag.

The Provincial Board has decided to adjourn their last regular session on Monday with the authority for Gov. Hilario Davide III to sign the P1.3 billion-contract with the winning bidder, WT Construction, remaining laid on the table.

This developed after the resolution to give authority to Davide that was supposed to be part of the proposed resolutions to be approved unanimously at the start of Monday’s session was instead tackled further by the PB after Board Member Edsel Galeos (second district) requested for the proposal to be discussed more.

During the discussion, Board Member Sun Shimura (fourth district) questioned the move for the approval of the authority to sign the contract since the board has yet to ratify the authority for the P1.3 billion loan with the Development Bank of the Philippines.

“What will be the effect if we approve this authority to sign the contract if, for instance, the board will not be able to ratify the loan agreement for its fund?” Shimura asked.

Shimura said he was concerned that WT Construction might hold the provincial government liable for not continuing with the contract.

Provincial Legal Officer Orvi Ortega, who was summoned by the board, explained that there would be no legal impediment should the authority to sign be granted first since the two resolutions were of different effect and “one is not a pre-requisite of the other.”
Provincial Budget Officer Danilo Rodas, who was also summoned in the board’s discussion, also explained that the effect of the ratification would only be for the release of the loan amount.

But Galeos then questioned the relevance of the resource building to the province.

Despite the arguments, the Board proceeded on the voting to pass the resolution.

Eight board members voted to pass the resolution, six opposed and three abstained.

However, the voting drew further clamor as they were now confused if the 8 votes would suffice for the simple majority requirement to pass the resolution.

The board decided to lay the ordinance on the table, pending the opinion of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Meanwhile, the board has already unanimously passed in third and final reading the ordinance for the 2019 annual budget.

The budget ordinance sets the 2019 budget of the province at P4.69 billion.