What's Up in Oriental Negros

October 29, 2006 issue – MetroPost Dumaguete

SAY GOODBYE to dust and dirt at the Perdices Coliseum soon. The provincial government has scheduled bidding on November 7 for the installation of rubberized track oval.

This major upgrade, estimated to cost around P22 million, will put the facility at oar with world-class track ovals in Bacolod, Cebu, Manila, Cabanatuan, and Iligan, to name a few.

The amount for the rubberized track oval will be taken from a loan made by the provincial government with the Development Bank of the Philippines.

Gov. George Arnaiz said the improvement of the track oval is in line with the construction of the Provincial Convention Center. “This is for the people. It’s a multi-purpose structure. We also want to address the shortage of hotel rooms and convention facilities with the construction of this Convention Center,” he said in a telephone interview.

The pre-bidding for the rubberized track oval was held last Thursday, October 27, 2006, which was attended by three prospective bidders.

But one bidder was reported to have complained that the specifications for the project favored and particular suppliers and excluded suppliers of pre-fabricated track ovals.

Lawyer Ismael Martinez, provincial general services officer, said the specifications set by Bids and Awards Committee are justifiable and above-board.

He said the BAC has decided to use the “wet-poured” material instead of the pre-fabricated material, whose supplier quoted a price that was much higher than the approved budget of P22 million.

Provincial Engineer Susano Ruperto, who is also a member of the BAC, said that there was nothing irregular with their decision to select the “wet-poured” material. “Anyone, even the supplier of the pre-fabricated material, is free to quote a price for the wet-poured technology for the rubberized track.”

“In the end, it is the choice and prerogative of the end-user that will prevail,” Martinez said. “We decided that while the pre-fabricated rubberized track oval may offer the best technology, it is not within our price range, so we chose the technology that will fit our budget,” headed.