Published in the Bohol Chronicle
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The Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) in Tagbilaran City said the Commission on Audit (COA) findings showing a P2.6-million overprice in the construction of the Agora wet market section is "only a tip of the iceberg".
The NPC media bureau issued the statement when it disclosed a COA finding that the construction of the ill-advised Agora building is "excessive".
"This is only the beginning. There are more explosive revelations of the monkey business during the reign of Joe Torralba," the statement declared.
According to the COA, the contract cost of the wet market construction undertaken by Kramnej Construction was P4,394,698.91.
However, the COA said its own cost estimate for the same project was only P2,644,780.15.
The COA itself said this is 85.07% above its own cost.
In its own word, COA said the project costing is "excessive".
Reacting on this, the NPC media bureau said the excessive overprice is one reason why the Agora building was moth-balled.
"If there was excessive overprice every step of the way, it is not surprising why the project could not be completed even though the P45-million of hard-earned people's money has already been spent on it," the statement added.
NPC said that as a consequence, the Agora became a source of embarrassment to the city and its people.
"For many years, the people of Tagbilaran have suffered from the shame and ridicule of guests who shake their heads at the stupidity that was the unfinished Agora project," the NPC statement said.
The NPC media bureau also questioned the silence of Cong. Edgar Chatto who allocated funds from his Countrywide Development Fund for Torralba's pet project "even though it was obvious that the project could not be completed due to insufficient funds".
"Now that the city government wants to complete the project in response to the overwhelming desire of the people, Torralba and his cohorts have the temerity to block it again," the statement added.
NPC said Mayor Dan Lim and Vice Mayor Nuevas Tirol-Montes are now in a "damn-if-you-do, damn-if-you-don't" situation.
"If Mayor Lim and Vice Mayor Montes leave the project as it is to attend to other more pressing concerns, the people want it to be completed. If they complete it, Torralba and his group intend to block it," the NPC added.
Lim said he will listen to the voice of the people and not to discredited politicians.
"The interest of the people and the progress of the city cannot be compromised by obstructionists who are only concerned with making money," he added.
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Topic: The Unending Saga of Agora (Read 1558 times)