Capitol to spend P3.2M for radio ads
The Cebu provincial government is spending P3.2 million to engage the services of an advertising agency to promote the programs, projects, and activities of the Capitol.
The budget will be charged to the annual allocation of the Provincial Information Office, says provincial administrator Mark Tolentino.
Tolentino, who is also the PIO officer-in-charge, said that radio and television advertisements have always been part of the annual budget. The Capitol has already posted on its website an invitation to bid for interested bidders.
Winning bidder shall produce 15 spots of 10 minutes commercial to be aired on major radio stations between 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. every Thursday for a period of four months. The advertisements are to disseminate information about the programs, projects, and activities of the Cebu provincial government.
"Bidders should have completed, within two years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a single contract similar to the project,” the Capitol stated in its invitation to bid.
Tolentino said the Capitol needs a third party to negotiate with big radio stations because the government can only pay after the service has been provided. Most radio stations demand payment before broadcast.
The winning ad agency will act as the direct client of the big radio stations and will pay in advance the selected radio stations before airing the ads. Then, the Capitol will pay the ad agency for its service and outputs rendered.
The Capitol want its ads to be aired over big radio networks to gain more audience and wide reach. Tolentino also dispels speculations that the move is already part of the campaign for 2019 elections.
"Any LGU, for that matter, has to tout its programs, its agenda, and its accomplishments. We are doing its mandate," he said.
He admitted that it is inevitable that incumbent officials will be included in the promotion of government programs, projects, and accomplishments. Should the ads be considered campaign materials, especially during the 2019 campaign period, Tolentino said that it will be up to the stations if the Capitol-paid ads are permissible or not.
BAEX BUILDING DEMOLITION
Meanwhile, the Office of the Building Officials (OBO) in Cebu City has given the Cebu provincial government permission to demolish the dilapidated Bureau of Agriculture Extension Building (BAEx) located at the Capitol compound.
Provincial General Services Office head Jone Sepe said the demolition will only commence once the notice of award has been given to the winning bidder. The lot will host the proposed 20-story modern Capitol building worth P1.5 billion.
Budget Officer Danilo Rodas told reporters that at present, the Capitol is doing parallel or simultaneous processes to get on with the construction of the new building. First is asking the opinion of the agencies such as the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on the impact of the loan and the facility to the economic status of the province.
The positive opinion from the two will contribute to the decision whether to push through with the ratification of an ordinance legalizing the proposed loan agreement between the Capitol and DBP.
Second is the passing of a supplemental budget worth P1.5 billion in order to assure the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) that the Capitol has allocated funds and has intentions to pay its loan.
According to Rodas, if things go as planned, Capitol will have to pay DBP an interest of P1 million per year in the first three years after the actualization of the project. The succeeding years will be the period to pay the amortization for the building which is at P200 million each year.