By MAE SINGUAY
BACOLOD City — Show some delicadeza. That’s what Mayor Monico Puentevella wanted the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to do.
Puentevella criticized the Bacolod City Engineering District for not informing him that it is pushing through with a road project this month.
Miscommunication, however, may have occurred between them, with Abraham Villareal, officer-in-charge city district engineer, claiming that they notified the mayor about the project through a letter.
Puentevella accused the engineering district of “breaching protocol.”
“DPWH must first seek the approval of the city government before implementing any project,” he stressed.
He was surprised to find that plants on the center island of Burgos Street have been destroyed.
In a letter dated July 21, 2014, Villareal informed the mayor that the construction/improvement of access roads toward tourism destinations here will start anytime this month once necessary documents are approved.
The project involves streets from Lacson Street to La Salle Eco-park in Barangay Alangilan. It has an allocation of P140 million. The contractor is International Builders Corp.
Villareal, in the letter, also asked the city government to assist in transferring illegal settlers within the perimeters of the road project so the contractor can work continuously and finish the project on time.
Puentevella claimed that he received and read the letter only on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
A copy of the letter signed received by the Office of the Mayor showed, however, that the letter reached the office on Aug. 4.
Puentevella said that, on Wednesday, he wrote DPWH secretary Rogelio Singson regarding the destruction of the plants.
“I invited Villareal to a meeting on Aug. 19, but he never showed up,” the mayor said. “He met me on Aug. 20 instead, but I already sent my letter to Singson.”
Puentevella disclosed that the project was under the name of former city representative Anthony Golez./PN
