Sep 132014
 
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Membership Meeting and launch of Mindanao Inclusive Agribusiness Program (MIAP) at the Function Hall 3, SMX Convention Center of the SM Lanang Premier in Lanang, Davao City on Monday (September 08). The event aims to rally PBSP members and other Mindanao companies around the idea of inclusive business, specifically on priority industries: coffee, cacao, corn, palm oil and rubber, as well as possible investments in Bangsamoro. (MNS photo)

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Membership Meeting and launch of Mindanao Inclusive Agribusiness Program (MIAP) at the Function Hall 3, SMX Convention Center of the SM Lanang Premier in Lanang, Davao City on Monday (September 08). The event aims to rally PBSP members and other Mindanao companies around the idea of inclusive business, specifically on priority industries: coffee, cacao, corn, palm oil and rubber, as well as possible investments in Bangsamoro. (MNS photo)

MANILA (Mabuhay) – The chairman of the board of Hilmarc’s Construction Corporation claimed Thursday that the firm did not see the final plan for the Makati City Hall Building 2 despite being in charge of construction from start to finish.

Speaking before the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee, Hilmarc board chairman Efren Canlas said his firm only concentrated on the scope of the work while bidding for the project’s five different phases.

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano asked Canlas: “As the winner of the first phase and eventually lahat, there was no original plan of the whole building presented to you?”

“Wala po, your honor,” Canlas answered. He said all government projects are usually constructed in phases.

Sen. Koko Pimentel said he found it strange that Hilmarc did not see the structural design and final plan for the building when it was in charge of construction from the foundation all the way to the finishing of the 11-storey building.

He asked Canlas: “Sir, yung mga drawings of the structural work definitely nanggaling yun sa drawings ng entire work.”

Canlas answered: “Siguro po. Hindi po ako sigurado. Yung binigay lang na scope namin, yun lang ang ginawa namin.”

For his part, Cayetano described Canlas’ testimony as “ridiculous” and “illegal.”

He noted that a contractor would need to see a final plan for the project before even starting with the foundation.

He pointed out that the foundation and structure will differ if a building is only four stories high or 20 stories.

He also noted that the Makati building permit signed by Canlas and submitted to Makati City Hall left blank many fields such as total estimate cost, building electrical, mechanical, plumbing and other costs, cost of equipment installed.

He also noted that Canlas wrote that the building would be 10 stories high.

“How can you say it was 10 stories if you did not have the entire plan?” Cayetano asked.

Canlas, however, said he only signed the document.

Siguro po yung nagpapirma sa amin yun na po ang alam nila na 10 floors po yun. As far as we are concerned talaga, phase 1 lang kami,” he said.

Pinirmahan ko po, your honor, pero ang totoo duon ay phase 1 lang ang alam namin.”

He also denied that he wrote “10-storey parking building with one basement” on the building permit. (MNS)

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