ILOILO City – Concerns over unfinished multipurpose gym projects here have reignited public scrutiny, with residents and barangay officials raising questions about prolonged delays in their completion.
Among the affected facilities are those in Barangay Concepcion, City Proper, and Barangay Katilingban, Molo.
These projects, implemented by the Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO), have been mired in setbacks despite years of planning and construction.
Mayor Jerry Treñas has stepped in to address the issue, pledging to prioritize the completion of these facilities for the benefit of the community.
According to a report from the Office of the Building Official (OBO), both gym projects have encountered significant setbacks.
In Barangay Concepcion, City Proper, Phase 1 was completed on April 8, 2024. However, due to deficiencies, the building permit application was submitted only on July 11, 2024, and approved on August 9, 2024.
Despite this, an inspection confirmed that the structure remains incomplete and uninhabitable.
In Barangay Katilingban, Molo, Phase 1 was finished as early as April 30, 2022, but the building permit application was resubmitted only on January 8, 2025.
Although the permit was issued on February 7, 2025, it remains unclaimed by the contractor. A site inspection revealed that the facility is still unfinished and unfit for use.
Mayor Treñas announced plans to write to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 to determine if funds are still available for completing these projects.
If no funds remain, he vowed to seek alternative funding to ensure the gyms become operational.
Treñas also hinted at a potential policy shift.
“Since these buildings were constructed on land owned by the city government, I will be forced to cancel the district office’s authority to construct facilities on such properties, with approval from the city council,” the mayor stressed.
He directed the City Engineer and City Architect to recommend next steps for the unfinished projects, including possible alternative uses for the properties.
Official records revealed that procedural delays and contractor lapses were the primary reasons for the setbacks, rather than any oversight by project proponent Cong. Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda.
In Barangay Concepcion, Phase 2 of the gym was delayed due to prolonged permit processing by City Hall.
Despite compliance with requirements, the permit remained unissued for months, raising potential violations under the Ease of Doing Business Act and Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
In Barangay Katilingban, the project faced issues with incomplete submissions and contractor non-compliance, which prompted a Notice of Violation from OBO.
Iloilo City District Engineer Roy Pacanan pointed out these delays in a report, citing back-and-forth communications between the City Mayor’s Office (CMO) and OBO as contributing factors.
In addition to the gym projects, Mayor Treñas also addressed concerns about the Mandurriao Public Market renovation, another project funded by the national government through DPWH but standing on city government land.
“I have instructed the city administrator to call for a meeting with the district engineer and the contractor to clarify whether the project has been completed as originally funded and if additional funds are available for its full completion,” said Treñas.
“If no funds remain, we are asking that it be turned over to the city government so that we can study what should be done. The market vendors and people of Mandurriao have been affected for too long. This cannot go on indefinitely,” he added.
The meeting will include the city engineer and city architect to chart the way forward.
Amid mounting concerns, Mayor Treñas reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and accountability.
He emphasized that these infrastructure projects, funded by taxpayers’ money, must be completed to serve their intended purpose and benefit the Ilonggos./PN
