The Roxas municipal government is preparing to resume construction of its long-delayed municipal hall after terminating the contract with the original contractor, Mayor Pedy Sabando said.
Sabando said the contract with GSMaxx Construction was terminated after the project was found to have been abandoned, allowing the local government to pursue a new contract for the remaining construction work.
The mayor said he looked into the stalled project after assuming office in July 2025 and learned from the municipal engineering department that the contractor had already abandoned the project.
Construction of the municipal hall began in 2019 with an initial budget of ₱75 million obtained through a loan. The project later received an additional ₱30 million through a supplemental budget, bringing the total allocated funds to more than ₱100 million, according to Sabando.
Despite the funding, several portions of the building remain unfinished more than seven years after construction began. These include the stairway handrails and electrical installations, while some ceilings have already deteriorated.
“Terminated na ang contract with GSMaxx. So ngayon pwede na namin ipagawa, pwede na galawin, maghahanap na lang ng pondong gagamitin,” Sabando said.
The municipal government is now looking to combine several funding sources to finance the remaining work.
Sabando said Sen. Erwin Tulfo had committed ₱16 million for the rehabilitation and completion of the building. The LGU also plans to use around ₱4 million in remaining municipal funds and another ₱4 million in contractor retention money.
“Merong kinomit so Senator Erwin Tulfo na P16 million para ipaayos ito at matapos. Idadagdag namin yung natitirang P4 million na pondo nitong munisipyo, plus yung another P4 million na retention ng contractor,” he said.
Sabando said the release of the ₱16-million commitment could come this month or next month, allowing the LGU to proceed with the next phase of the project.
“Nakita nyo naman kung ano ang kasalukuyang sitwasyon, mula doon sa baba hanggang doon sa taas. So marami pang kulang na dapat ayusin dito sa munisipyo. Yun yung isa sa mga priority namin at yung pondo nga na kinomit ni Sen. Tulfo at sabi nya nga ay ngayong buwan o sa sunod na buwan ay mai-release,” he said.
The mayor said the remaining construction will be undertaken through a new contract. He added that the LGU will have to ensure that the next contractor can complete the project and avoid the problems that led to the previous contract’s termination.
