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 underneath 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 town’s historical past of ‘rising’ electrical energy prices.
The proposed set up of P10 million price 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.
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Throughout an govt session, Minority Ground Chief Nestor Archival Sr. scrutinized the P19.8 million price range proposal submitted by the Division of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW).
Archival took problem with numerous price range allocations, significantly the P10 million earmarked for the RGB lights, calling it “pointless and indulgent.”
“Naunsa mo? Ngano gud tawon magbutang tag lights? Giingnan na ta sa COA nga usik-usik ta’g kuryente… That could be very costly, P10 million…nindot man ning naay lights ba, however is it obligatory?” he mentioned.
(What are you doing? Why would we put lights there? COA already instructed us that we’re losing electrical energy…That could be very costly, P10 million…it’s good to have lights right here, however is it obligatory?)
Archival cited a latest Fee on Audit (COA) report that flagged 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 % of town’s whole revenue.
The report additionally criticized the absence of an Power Effectivity and Conservation (EEC) Workplace and a complete EEC plan, regardless of these being mandated by legislation. Town had been flagged for its “seemingly extreme” use of Christmas and avenue lights, which contributed to the surge in its electrical invoice.
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Regardless of the criticism, Performing Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros defended the lighting system, describing it as a possible vacationer attraction that would increase town’s attraction.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged that the DEPW should justify each the upfront prices and the long-term affect 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 can be managed by pc software program, enhancing the visible attraction of the constructing. Nevertheless, the proposal has sparked a heated debate on the stability between aesthetic upgrades and accountable public spending.
Archival urged town to streamline its price range and emphasised the necessity for fiscal duty.
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