The City Government of Puerto Princesa is set to terminate its contract with Manila-based Square Meter Trading and Construction Corporation (SMTCC) for the slow progress and its failure to complete on time the construction of the P190 million public market project located at the Baywalk in Barangay Matahimik.
The project’s completion was originally expected by December 2019, however its completion was extended to March 31, 2020.
Atty. Arnel Pedrosa, city administrator said that the project’s progress is very low therefore, it is impossible for the contractor to meet its target completion by March 31, 2020.
The contract will be terminated through an order from the city government informing SMTCC of the contract’s termination which will immediately take effect when served.
SMTCC will also be penalized through fines, and they will be blacklisted.
“Magmumulta sila. Liquidated damages ang tawag dyan. Dahil ma-terminate ang contract, ang mangyayari ay mag-start ng panibagong kontrata,” said Atty. Pedrosa.
The proposed public market at the bay area is a priority project of the administration of City Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron. This project will also help boost the city’s image as a tourism destination.
Mayor Bayron emphasized the need of the city to have a modern structure, a more presentable public market that will answer the need of the increasing population and tourist arrival in the locality. The city formally breaks ground last November 2018 that signals the start of the project construction.
Architect Ezrha Miguel, Executive Assistant IV at the City Mayor’s Office, in a previous interview said that 480 stalls will be set aside for wet market on the ground floor and 670 for dry goods on the second floor. The total area that will be occupied by the main building is 7,423 square meters in front of the Baywalk.