Back in August 2013, then-National Parks and Development Committee (NPDC) spokesperson Kenneth Montegrande said that the 105-foot flagpole in front of the Rizal monument will be replaced by a new one, which measures 150 feet before December 30 of that year, just in time for the commemoration of Rizal’s 117th death anniversary.
That time, netizens questioned the said project because the government will spend P7.8 million. As defense, then-Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region Director Reynaldo Tagudando said that there are no irregularities in that project. He added that the Luneta flagpole will also be raised mechanically, instead of manual.
The flagpole alone costs P4 million, and was imported from China, while the materials for the project were imported from Hong Kong. But in February 2016, the Luneta flagpole had another renovation. This time, the Aquino government spent more than P1.3 million, making the total renovation cost of the Luneta flagpole of almost P10 million.
According to Engr. Mikunug Macud of South Manila District Engineering Office, the second renovation of the Luneta flagpole includes replacement of tiles and placement of lights on the base, wherein the existing tiles are needed to be removed. The renovation contract went to G.F. Fabian Construction, and the government spent P1,337,914.96 for this project.
Meanwhile, Noli de Castro could not help but criticize the Aquino administration. “Kung ibig sabihin na may bitak at napansin ng pangulo, yun ay sub-standard ang pagkakagawa… Hindi kaya nagtatapon kayo ng pera ng bayan?” He said during the end part of a TV Patrol episode that time, questioning the P10-million Luneta flagpole project.
Contributed by Salvi Dalida
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