Iloilo City demands detailed report of DPWH projects

ILOILO CITY – The city government here wants the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to submit a detailed report of projects implemented.

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, in a press conference on Monday, said the DPWH submits reports but sans date of completion.

"There are projects that are already five years old. We want to find out when the projects will be completed because if at all they don't know when, then, probably the city can come in and do its share," he said.

Treñas said that legally, the local government has the power to take over since the projects are on city-owned lands.

City Administrator Melchor Tan wrote DPWH Regional Director Sanny Boy Oropel on July 1, asking for the status of seven projects that were approved and funded but were "not accomplished and/or started construction despite the agency's timeline."

These included the Mandurriao Market, a multipurpose project in Barangay Concepcion, a sports complex for the Jalandoni Memorial High School and multipurpose building in the villages of Tanza Esperanza, Balantang and Katilingban.

In an earlier interview, Oropel said DPWH need not be reminded of the reporting of updates on national project implementation because they have a department order stating that all their activities should be reported to local government units.

The city government declared DPWH City District Engineer Roy Pacanan persona non grata under Resolution No. 2024-508 passed by the city council on June 10, for failure of his office to vacate their location in the city-owned property that will give way to plans and projects and for implementing projects despite lack of necessary permits. (PNA)