CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Conflicting claims between the local government and a private contractor have intensified over the stalled ₱64–65 million Mega Health Center project in Sitio Macanhan, Barangay Carmen, prompting the city to schedule a rebidding by late November or early December this year.
Nurben Engineering & Construction Company, the project’s original contractor, denied abandoning the construction, contrary to the City Information Office’s (CIO) earlier announcement. Company CEO Engr. Datu Benjamin H. Hamid insisted they halted work only because the local government allegedly failed to pay their 20% billing—amounting to roughly ₱13 million—despite meeting requirements.
Hamid stressed that the company was left with no choice but to stop operations, adding that they are now preparing legal action over the payment dispute.
City Engineer Holds Comments—For Now
City Engineering Office (CEO) Department Manager Engr. Joel Momongan declined to give a detailed response to the contractor’s allegations but assured he will issue a full statement next week.
Momongan has consistently maintained that the contractor showed “lack of commitment” and abandoned the project for months despite repeated notices.
According to him, the project began in March 2024 and was supposed to be completed by January 2025. The sudden stoppage prompted the city to issue three formal notices before terminating the contract last August.
“Sa kalit gibiyaan ni… naghatag kita notice niini, wala gihapon nila tumana… In short, gi-abandon gyud sa contractor. Mao na nga naay termination since August pa,” Momongan said.
He also clarified that funds for the project—including a 15% mobilization fund previously released to the contractor—remain intact.
Politics Enter the Fray
The issue escalated when Barangay Carmen Chairman Raineir Joaquin Uy, son of Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy, claimed part of the delay stemmed from changes in congressional leadership in the first district. He said the project lacked endorsement from the current congressman.
But Congressman Lordan Suan rejected this explanation outright.
“Bakak man na. Iyang papa nag-groundbreaking ana as mayor, unya moingon siya napondohan daw sa congressman pa iyang papa,” Suan said.
Rebidding Set; Construction to Resume in 2026
CIO Head Jade Adecer confirmed that the local government has already scheduled the rebidding of the remaining portion of the contract by the end of November or the first week of December.
“Aron nay bag-ong contractor nga ma-awardan dayon. Early next year magsugod nasad og construct anang mega health,” Adecer said.
Mayor Uy has reportedly ordered that construction restart by early 2026 and that the project, now designated as Phase 1, be completed by July 2026.
“Kung unsay in place, i-minus nato sa original contract mao nay i-rebid nato… Hopefully, ma-bidding na ni karong tuiga para masugdan next year,” Momongan added.
A Vital Project Left Hanging
Once completed, the Mega Health Center is expected to house an emergency room, outpatient department, laboratory, animal bite center, and other essential medical services—facilities badly needed by residents of the growing Macanhan community.
For now, however, the project remains stalled, clouded by competing accusations, unpaid billings, and political blame-shifting. As the city moves toward rebidding, affected residents are left waiting—again—for the health facility long promised to them.