School officials were dismayed after discovering that a half-finished, abandoned school building in Catbalogan City was reported as “completed” by the Department of Public Works and Highways.
The unused, incomplete school building was reportedly declared 100-percent complete according to government records, but a deeper probe would show that it was a classic example of prevailing corruption in the government.
CATBALOGAN CITY- CONCERNED CITIZENS, school officials and students in this city are asking proper government authorities to investigate and if possible charge those behind the unfinished construction of the P42 million Samar National High School (SNHS) project.
Unfinished School Building from opinyon.net
The 4-storey 20-classroom building was allegedly declared as already 100 percent complete by its contractors who must be laughing their way to the bank.
With a student population of more than 7,000 students, the need for additional classrooms at SNHS was significant and most necessary, according to school officials.
It was gathered that the project was initially implemented in 2015 by the 2nd Engineering District of the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH).
It was funded by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), and was aimed at addressing the problem of a growing student population at SNHS.
Abandoned
But to the dismay of school officials, the project was suddenly abandoned sometime in July 2017 by its contractors, with only two floors completed.
“How could a fully funded government project in the amount of P42 million not be completed as planned?” they asked.
In an exclusive interview with OpinYon, Ranulfo Maga, the school administrator, said school officials had written letters to DPWH, PAGCOR and other agencies seeking an explanation as to what really happened to the project.
However, they discovered that the project had been reported by the DPWH as 100-percent completed, and that “the contractor reportedly was able to collect full payment.”
Soil problem
It was gathered that the project had major work revisions, particularly on its foundation structure details.
The 2nd Engineering District of DPWH-Samar claimed that based on the Soil Exploration Report, the soil on which the structure was being erected was later found weak for a high rise building; hence, it needs structural strengthening.
“Ang bearing capacity ng soil ay hindi tugma sa original foundation plan,” District Engineer Herminio V. Gulmatico told Opinyon.
Funding requirements
Consequently, this has reportedly affected the funding requirements of the project, with much of the budget spent to strengthen the foundation – a variation that was approved by DPWH.
However, Gulmatico failed to explain when asked why they failed to figure out the soil problem prior to the actual construction of the building.
“I don’t know kung ano ang nangyari dito sa district. I can’t speak for them” he said.
The district engineer of Samar DPWH 2nd Engineering District at the time when the project started was George Suy.
It was not clear if he already retired from service, but to date, his name could not be found in the roster of commissioned district engineers on DPWH official website.
Useless investigations
SNHS administrator Maga said there had been investigations made by concerned agencies including the regional office at the Commission on Audit (COA).
“Damo na an nag-investigate, pati media nanginano na gihap. Pero waray man natabo [Many people had investigated, even the media looked into it. But nothing happened],” a displeased Maga sarcastically muttered during the interview.
Maga was initially apprehensive in acceding to the interview as similar efforts before had resulted in nothing. “Waray manla gihap natabo.”
According to Maga, the individuals supposedly accountable for the project seemed to have gotten away scot-free.
Also, they learned that the contractor WERR was reportedly paid in full despite failing to complete the project. “Nagpakalusot hira hini nga project.”
Unfinished School Building from opinyon.net
P15-M new funding
The 2nd Engineering District Office of DPWH Samar said it has already finalized its plan to complete the project.
Samar DPWH 2nd District Engineer Gulmatico said he just signed last January 21 a request for another P15 million funding for the completion of the building.
"If approved, the project will finally be completed," Gulmatico added.