BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – The head of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – City District Engineering Office has apologized to Mayor Jerry Treñas for the delay in vacating the propeorty owned by the city government at Fort San Pedro.
In his letter dated June 7, Engr. De Roy Pacanan, DPWH City District Office engineer, also expressed his gratitude to the mayor for allowing them to use the property as their office for the past 40 years.
“We sincerely apologize for the inadvertent delays incurred in the transition caused by the heavy workload, not to mention the numerous equipment, heavy materials, and properties that need to be relocated in our temporary office,” said Pacanan.
The DPWH-City District Office vacated Thursday the city-owned property that used to be occupied by the agency at the Fort San Pedro barely after six demands.
Such came after Treñas sent a letter dated May 31 ordering Engr. De Roy Pacanan, DPWH Iloilo district engineer to leave the premises and remove all their equipment, vehicles, and other instruments on a city-owned property.
The mayor had expressed disappointment at the DPWH City District Office for what he perceives as the office’s ingratitude. Treñas said he would sign an executive order declaring Pacanan “persona non grata” on June 13.
“We cannot work with people who do not respect the highest elected official of the city government. Furthermore, many district projects are white elephants and have continued to be so for several years now. Let us call a spade a spade. Enough of these kinds of public servants,” he said.
But Treñas clarified that he highly regards DPWH Secretary Manny Bonoan and DPWH-6 Regional Director Sanny Boy Oropel.
“I have the highest respect for you and other personnel of the DPWH. But this DE (district engineer) of yours has gone beyond normal norms in civilized society. If he cannot even show respect for me as the highest elected official in the city, then he has no place here in the city,” said Treñas.
The city government donated a 2.5-hectare lot to the DPWH city engineering district in Barangay Sooc in the Arevalo district since the city needed the lot in Fort San Pedro barely three years ago.
The mayor said the city government would allocate at least one hectare of the 2.5 hectares of land vacated by the DPWH city district office as the new site of the Iloilo Community College campus.
In his letter, Engr. Pacanan said the DPWH City District Office was their workplace and second home.
“The dreams of our office to provide safe, reliable, and resilient infrastructures were substantially fulfilled in the said building. We shall continue our aspirations in a new shelter while keeping all memories in our hearts,” said Pacanan.
Pacanan said he was grateful for the mayor’s patience, understanding, and compassion for the time extension given to them.
“We eagerly anticipate the continuous undertaking of our future projects, which aim to enhance the quality of life for all Ilonggos,” he said./PN
