COA: Undue haste, other red flags in Makati building

By Leila B. Salaverria |Philippine Daily Inquirer

One of the parking areas of the Makati City Hall Building II. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NIO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, PhilippinesAn initial Commission on Audit (COA) investigation found that the Makati City government implemented the P2.3-billion Makati City Hall Building II project with undue haste because it was done without construction plans.

The COA also found a P105-million difference between the approved budget for the contract of the buildings phase one and its approximate cost stated in the architectural and engineering contract.

These were among the red flags found in the COAs preliminary report on the parking cum office building being investigated by the Senate for alleged overpricing.

Other red flags were the following:

Improper negotiated procurement for the contract of architectural and engineering services;

Very small variance between the contract for the budget and the bids of contractor Hilmarcs Construction Corp.;

Unnecessary expenditures for mobilization of construction equipment; and

The building, built in five phases, was already habitable and ready for use by phase three.

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COA: Undue haste, other red flags in Makati building