By CESAR JOLITO III

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has approved a resolution requesting Mayor Greg Gasataya to temporarily defer payments to IPM-Construction Development Corp. (IPM-CDC), the city’s contracted provider for garbage collection and disposal.

The move comes amid reported concerns over alleged delays, deficiencies and inconsistencies in IPM-CDC’s fulfillment of its contractual obligations.

The deferment will remain in effect pending a thorough evaluation to determine the company’s liability, including possible liquidated damages, unperformed services and undelivered commitments under the contract.

Councilor Dindo Ramos, author of the resolution and chairperson of SP’s committee on urban poor, housing and resettlement, emphasized the importance of safeguarding public funds.

“It is essential to investigate whether IPM has incurred liabilities arising from unfulfilled obligations, as stipulated in their contract and applicable laws,” Ramos said.

He added that the city government has the responsibility to ensure payments are only made for services that have been fully rendered.

“Before releasing further payments, it is both prudent and necessary to fully assess any potential non-performance or liabilities of the service provider,” Ramos noted./CJ, WDJ