Have you ever wondered why some government projects seem to drag on forever without any clear end in sight?
The people of Iloilo, led by Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, are asking the same question and demanding answers from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). In a press conference on Monday, Mayor Treñas highlighted a growing frustration: the DPWH submits project reports, but they lack one crucial detail — completion dates.
“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,” Mayor Treñas stated.
Legally, the local government has the authority to take over since these projects are on city-owned lands.
City Administrator Melchor Tan echoed this sentiment, writing to DPWH Regional Director Sanny Boy Oropel on July 1, seeking updates on seven critical projects. These include the Mandurriao Market, a multipurpose project in Barangay Concepcion; a sports complex for Jalandoni Memorial High School, and multipurpose buildings in the villages of Tanza Esperanza, Balantang, and Katilingban. Despite being approved and funded, these projects remain incomplete or haven’t even started.
In response, Oropel asserted that the DPWH does not need reminders about updating local government units, citing a department order that mandates regular reporting of project activities. But if that's the case, why are the updates incomplete?
The city council took a strong stance by declaring DPWH City District Engineer Roy Pacanan persona non grata under Resolution No. 2024-508 on June 10. This action came after his office failed to vacate city-owned property crucial for new plans and projects, and for implementing projects without necessary permits.
So, why should the people of Iloilo suffer due to these bureaucratic delays and oversights?
Mayor Treñas’s call for detailed, timely reports isn’t just a bureaucratic hassle—it's about transparency and accountability. If the DPWH can’t provide clear timelines and progress reports, should the city government step in to ensure these projects finally see the light of day?
In a world where we demand transparency and efficiency from our leaders, why should infrastructure projects be any different? It's time for the DPWH to answer these questions with more than just vague updates.
The people of Iloilo deserve to know when their city’s projects will be completed. After all, isn’t that the least we can expect from our government?
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonEditorial #DPWH