BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas has maintained his relentless criticism of the Department of Public Works and Highways – Iloilo City District Engineering Office (DPWH-ICDEO), pointing out delays in seven unfinished infrastructure projects.
The city’s chief executive expressed frustration over the lack of communication and progress from DPWH Region 6, which supervises the ICDEO.
Despite several requests, including a letter sent by City Administrator Melchor Tan to DPWH Region 6 director Sanny Boy Oropel on July 1, 2024, the city has yet to receive a clear timeline for the completion of these projects, said Treñas.
The projects, initiated during Treñas’ earlier term as mayor five years ago, are located on city-owned lots. These include the following:
* Mandurriao Market
* Barangay Concepcion Multi-Purpose Project
* Sports Complex at Jalandoni Memorial High School
* Tanza Esperanza Multi-Purpose Building
* Sta. Filomena, Arevalo Multi-Purpose Building
* Balantang, Jaro Multi-Purpose Building, and
* Katilingban, Molo Multi-Purpose Building
“These delays have caused mounting concerns among the residents of the affected barangays, who have been consistently following up with me. It is critical that these projects are completed to meet the needs of our communities,” Treñas said.
In addition to these projects, Treñas’s grievances extend to critical roadworks along JM Basa Street and Calle Real.
He criticized Engr. Roy Pacanan, head of the DPWH-ICDEO, for missing deadlines.
In a December 17 letter to DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Treñas called Pacanan’s actions “unprofessional” and “insensitive,” urging intervention to ensure the roadworks are completed by December 20.
Treñas emphasized the significant disruption the delays have caused to businesses, residents, and commuters.
But Engr. Pacanan countered the allegations, attributing delays to procedural lapses by the city government.
He noted that DPWH-ICDEO had requested coordination meetings as early as February 15, 2024, but the first meeting did not occur until May 2. Furthermore, Ordinance No. 2024-195, necessary for road closures, was passed on September 25 but only reached DPWH-ICDEO on October 11.
Pacanan argued that these delays violated the Ease of Doing Business Act, exposing the city government to administrative or criminal liabilities.
He also dismissed Treñas’s accusations as baseless and vowed to defend the DPWH-ICDEO’s integrity./PN
