CEBU CITY – The acting vice mayor here insisted that there was nothing irregular with the procurement orders for this city’s upcoming hosting of the Palarong Pambansa.
Councilor Dondon Hontiveros, who ascended to acting vice mayor in lieu of Raymond Garcia, who is now the acting mayor following the six-month suspension of Mayor Michael Rama, said that the budget allocated for the Palaro has been explained to Garcia.
Garcia has ordered the suspension of all procurement orders for the Palaro amid accusations that some items were overpriced.
“Okay na si acting mayor ug nakasabot sad mi sa pag-suspend niya (It’s all good now for the acting mayor and we also understand why he ordered the suspension),” Hontiveros told the city Public Information Office.
In ordering the suspension, Garcia noted why the city has to spend P21 million to rent toilets and bath portalets.
Garcia pointed out that the city could have just purchased portalets instead of renting as the equipment can still be used for future big events.
Hontiveros explained that renting is more practical than purchasing.
“The bidder, it’s the same supplier of portalets, portabaths in Marikina City which hosted the 2023 Palaro. Imagine, P18 (million) divided by the number of days, 17 days, divided also by the number of units, 478. It means we are renting each P2,000 a day or more or less P2,000,” said Hontiveros.
The amount that will be spent to rent the 478 portalets already includes the installation, cleaning, and the personnel who will maintain the equipment from start to finish of the Palaro.
Hontiveros added if purchased, each portalet would cost between P75,000 and P90,000.
And if this city decides to purchase 478 portalets, it has no facility to store the equipment.
“And we will have to look for personnel for the maintenance. And where will we put the 478 portalets?” said Hontiveros.
Hontiveros also defended the city’s plan to purchase 12,000 tumblers for athletes and technical officials.
“Each has his own tumbler so that they can just get water from water sources in playing venues, billeting instead of bringing bottled water,” said Hontiveros.
The tumblers will go with hygiene kits and T-shirts, said Hontiveros.
Hontiveros said providing the kit is just part of Rama’s goal to give every delegate a meaningful experience during their stay in the city for the Palaro.
“That’s why it was said beyond sports, family, fate, arts, culture, tourism, it’s an experience,” Hontiveros added.
Hontiveros added that a special budget was allocated for the visit of every delegation to museums and heritage places in this city.