JULY 16, 2023: A glimpse on the facade of the Cebu Metropolis Corridor. CDN Digital photograph | Brian J. Ochoa
CEBU CITY, Philippines – A plan to spend P10 million on 65 units of RGB lights for the rehabilitation of Cebu Metropolis Corridor’s legislative constructing has come beneath intense scrutiny relating to the venture’s worth.
Whereas some officers defended the lights as a possible vacationer draw, others questioned whether or not the hefty price ticket was justified, particularly given the town’s historical past of ‘rising’ electrical energy prices.
The proposed set up of P10 million value of RGB lights is a part of the P19,828,121 million rehabilitation of Cebu Metropolis Corridor’s legislative constructing. It’s a decision sponsored by Councilor Jerry Guardo.
READ MORE:
COA says Cebu Metropolis lacks money reserves for Singapore-like imaginative and prescient
Rama’s P51.4B annual finances and his quest for a Singapore-like Cebu Metropolis
Gov’t infra spending ramped up in March
Throughout an govt session, Minority Ground Chief Nestor Archival Sr. scrutinized the P19.8 million finances proposal submitted by the Division of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW).
Archival took subject with varied finances allocations, notably the P10 million earmarked for the RGB lights, calling it “pointless and lavish.”
“Naunsa mo? Ngano gud tawon magbutang tag lights? Giingnan na ta sa COA nga usik-usik ta’g kuryente… That may be very costly, P10 million…nindot man ning naay lights ba, however is it vital?” he stated.
(What are you doing? Why would we put lights there? COA already instructed us that we’re losing electrical energy…That may be very costly, P10 million…it’s good to have lights right here, however is it vital?)
Archival cited a current Fee on Audit (COA) report that flagged the town for its extreme electrical energy use.
The COA report famous that in 2023, Cebu Metropolis Corridor spent over P289 million on electrical energy, accounting for 4.17 p.c of the town’s whole earnings.
The report additionally criticized the absence of an Vitality Effectivity and Conservation (EEC) Workplace and a complete EEC plan, regardless of these being mandated by regulation. Town had been flagged for its “seemingly extreme” use of Christmas and road lights, which contributed to the surge in its electrical invoice.
READ MORE: COA flags Cebu Metropolis of unutilized P1.4B catastrophe fund
Regardless of the criticism, Appearing Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros defended the lighting system, describing it as a possible vacationer attraction that might increase the town’s attraction.
Nonetheless, he acknowledged that the DEPW should justify each the upfront prices and the long-term impression on electrical energy consumption.
The P19.8 million rehabilitation venture, which incorporates repainting, changing aluminum cladding, and electrical works, has but to be bid out.
DEPW consultant Lilibeth del Mar defined that the RGB lights could be managed by laptop software program, enhancing the visible attraction of the constructing. Nonetheless, the proposal has sparked a heated debate on the stability between aesthetic upgrades and accountable public spending.
Archival urged the town to streamline its finances and emphasised the necessity for fiscal accountability.
Learn Subsequent
Disclaimer: The feedback uploaded on this website don’t essentially characterize or replicate the views of administration and proprietor of Cebudailynews. We reserve the appropriate to exclude feedback that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial requirements.