ILOILO City – If the assistant department head of the city government’s City Planning and Development Office were to be believed, Cong. Jerry Treñas threatened her.
According to Architect Dolly Zoluaga, she presented to Treñas the city government’s “Development of Park in the City’s Civic Center” project at the congressman’s office Thursday last week.
“Daw lain ang pag-take niya…It’s unfortunate nga ang pag-interpret niya is daw ginahingabot siya,” said Zoluaga yesterday.
Treñas denied threatening or harassing Zoluaga but admitted he may have raised his voice a bit.
“Seguro nagtunog-tunog gid man ang tingog ko because I was trying to emphasize nga indi man ina park and plaza, ngaa amo gid ina ila usaran sang pundo,” said Treñas, referring to the back portion of the City Agriculture Office Building where he holds office.
The back portion of the building would be affected by the project.
According to Zoluaga, the project – with a funding of P16.5 million – is part of the Department of Budget and Management’s “Green, Green, Green” assistance program that aims to make the country’s 145 cities more livable and sustainable through the development of public open spaces.
“Green, Green, Green” or the Local Government Support Fund-Assistance to Cities (LGSC-AC), is a component of the Duterte administration’s massive national infrastructure development program “Build, Build, Build.” It helps city governments create forest parks, arboretum and botanical gardens; improve livability of urban areas through various activities and methods such as landscaping, turfing and tree planting; and transform streetscapes through installation of eco-friendly street furniture, fixtures and shading.
For Iloilo City, said Zoluaga, the project aims to create a safe walking corridor for pedestrians considering that the soon-to-be-revived Sunburst Park (where the old Freedom Grandstand stood) and Plaza Libertad were adjacent to one another.
The walking corridor would be established near the building where Treñas is holding office.
The building won’t be adversely affected, stressed Zoluaga.
“Ang appropriation nga ihatag sa ila is for parks and plaza. Ti indi man ina dira park and plaza ang likod ko,” said Treñas.
He said he would file a complaint for technical malversation before the Ombudsman against Zoluaga and possibly other city government officials.
According to Zoluaga, Treñas took her office identification card and had it photocopied.
“Gin-threaten niya ako. Kun may matabo kuno dira sa surroundings, file-lan niya ako kaso,” said Zoluaga.
She described Treñas during their meeting as “loud kag intimidating.”
“There were many people around and I’m not used sa amu na,” said Zoluaga.
Treñas said he asked for Zoluaga’s ID because he did not know her.
“There are so many people who can testify…waay ko sya pinahog,” said Treñas.
Zoluaga said the project presentation to Treñas was part of the consultation process being observed by the city government.
Mayor Jose Espinosa III confirmed that consultations were being made regarding the project and the congressman’s office was just one of several offices Zoluaga would be making project presentations.
“Kun may issue siya sa akon, sa akon lang. Indi niya pag-anhon mga empleyado,” said Espinosa.
Espinosa and Treñas are both running for mayor in next year’s midterm elections.
The DBM has provided P2.589 billion for the Green, Green, Green program and has already received 143 project proposals for approval./PN
