ROTA Mayor Benjamin T. Manglona chided Public Works Secretary Juan S. Reyes for “taking too much time” in awarding several capital improvement projects’ architectural and engineering designs to contractors.
“Six months have gone by just for the review process. We need real action now,” Manglona said in a letter to Reyes.
The projects include the proposed Rota Convention Center and a courthouse.
“If there is anything we can do to assist you in these projects, please let us know,” Manglona said.
He also inquired about the status of the Rota Health Center expansion project as well as the A&E design for village roads in Songsong, Sinapalo II and III.
“We see no compelling reason why Public Works is stalling our urgent projects. Please assign and instruct your appropriate staff to expedite (them). We are very disappointed over these unnecessary delays,” Manglona said.
Earlier this month, Manglona sent Reyes a similar letter requesting him to “move” the island’s capital improvement projects “as quickly as possible.”
Manglona said Rota’s “overall economic strategy demands that we put CIP money to work.”
“We need to build to boost our economy. CIP activity provides opportunities for our hard-pressed businesses. It provides job opportunities for our unemployed and underemployed citizens. We build or we die,” the Rota mayor said.
He said the economic slowdown has caused many contractors to cut back operations. Moreover, the lack of private business reduces the ranks of architectural and engineering design contractors, the mayor said.
“Now more than ever, the government must do everything possible to assist contractors. We need to pay them on time. We need to get bids out to them as soon as possible,” Manglona said.
Variety has been repeatedly trying to reach Reyes for comment since last week, but his secretary said the official was “busy” and was always out of the office.
