BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – The city government revealed yesterday that at least six projects initiated by the Department of Public Works and Highways – Iloilo City District Engineering Office (DPWH-ICDEO) within the metropolis have not been recorded with the Office of Building Official (OBO).
In his letter to Engr. Roy Pacanan, ICDEO officer-in-charge, Mayor Jerry Treñas also mentioned the ICDEO did not submit any application for building permits for its 27 projects that passed the initial technical evaluation processes.
“The evaluation ensures compliance with the technical standards required for projects that have yet to be issued a building permit by OBO,” read Treñas’ letter.
The mayor issued the letter to Pacanan following OBO’s denial that it has deliberately delayed various infrastructure projects being implemented by the DPWH-ICDEO.
Lawyer Manuel Magbanua, Jr., counsel for OBO, debunked accusations that the OBO is hindering the progress of important infrastructure projects within the city.
“Contrary to the declaration of the District Engineer, the reason why no building permits were issued for its projects is that ICDEO either did not apply for issuance at all or if an application was submitted, the supporting documents attached were either insufficient or non-compliant with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan of Iloilo City,” said Magbanua.
Treñas has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the DPWH City District Engineering Office’s handling of infrastructure projects, which he claims have not met the city’s standards and timelines.
This tension has led to a series of actions, such as the declaration of the DPWH Iloilo City district engineer as persona non grata and the revocation of permits for certain DPWH projects.
ICDEO Engr. Roy Pacanan was quoted as saying the delayed issuance of permits by OBO hampered the completion of several vital infrastructure projects within the city.
These projects include the rehabilitation of the Mandurriao public market and construction of Barangay Concepcion, City Proper multipurpose building, Jalandoni Memorial High School sports complex, Tanza Esperanza multipurpose building, Santa Filomena, Arevalo multipurpose building, Balantang multipurpose building, and Barangay Katilingban multipurpose building.
Pacanan is considering invoking Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act, to address these delays with the OBO.
In his letter, Treñas noted that only 36, and not 45 projects were submitted by ICDEO to OBO for initial technical evaluation.
“This process was conducted in preparation for the submission of the uniform application forms for the issuance of building permits,” said Treñas.
OBO conducted the initial evaluation processes of the submitted projects implemented by ICDEO to address potential deficiencies related to technical requirements such as survey and design plans.
Such evaluation aims to ensure compliance with the technical standards required for projects that have yet to be issued a building permit by the OBO.
However, OBO maintained that the initial evaluation is not part of the actual building permit application process. Once the project passes such evaluation, the ICDEO is still required to submit its application forms, including the necessary documentary requirements, including the consent of the city government.
Of the 36 projects, the mayor pointed out that 27 projects have completed the initial evaluation process with corresponding corrections and findings endorsed to the ICDEO for appropriate action.
However, the remaining 13 projects that were referred to OBO are still under evaluation.
“However, to date, ICDEO has not submitted any application for the issuance of building permits for the 27 projects that passed the initial technical evaluation process,” the mayor said./PN
