Bacolod mayor probes hardened cement, overhauls supply unit

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya has ordered a full clearing and transfer of cement stocks discovered at the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) warehouse, directing that all bags be relocated to a rented facility to determine the exact volume and how much has already hardened.

Gasataya, in a press conference at his office Monday, said, “I already instructed them to clear the warehouse and rent another one where all cement will be transferred so we can get the correct number of stocks and find out how many have solidified.”

The mayor also required the CEO to submit within 24 hours the status of all projects directly implemented by the office, including those dating back to 2022.

“I have been receiving reports that some projects go as far back as 2022. That’s what I want them to account for,” he said.

Gasataya said he will also convene the city’s Disposal Committee to determine the proper legal process for disposing of the hardened cement.

“We want to know if it can still be used or not,” he said.

The mayor also said, “Once we receive the CEO’s explanation, we will forward it to the City Legal Office for appropriate action. And most importantly, we will make sure this does not happen again.”

Gasataya stressed the CEO Supply Section is tasked with receiving and releasing construction materials purchased by the city.

Effective immediately, he relieved the section head and three other officers from their functions as part of an overhaul of the Supply Section.

He said he will also assign a new team to man the Supply Section.

“At this point, we cannot pinpoint anybody. We will just follow where the investigation will lead us,” Gasataya said when asked if other personnel in the CEO would also be relieved.

He also ordered a halt to the operations of the Supply Section pending inventory.

“We need to have the inventory for us to get the actual figures. It cannot be that there is no inventory or that those in charge remain in place. That is why changes are necessary,” he said.

Gasataya earlier told city employees during the flag ceremony that he expects transparency.

“I told the department heads if there are similar cases in their department to let me know,” he said.

He told them, “Indi niyo ko pag kibuta” (Do not keep me in the dark).

Earlier, at least 4,686 bags of cement were discovered to have hardened and become unusable at a city government warehouse in Bacolod.

An additional 100 bags of solidified cement were also found in a separate warehouse in Barangay Alijis.

Gasataya expressed disappointment following spot inspections at the CEO warehouse in the Bacolod City College compound and another facility in Alijis over the weekend.

The wasted construction materials, valued at approximately PHP 1.1 million, were initially allocated for various city infrastructure projects, Gasataya said.

“It could have gone a long way—for building additional classrooms, barangay infrastructure projects, and more,” the mayor added.

Meanwhile, Gasataya declared that there is “no crack” in his alliance with Bacolod Rep. Albee Benitez amid issues raised over hardened cement discovered at the CEO warehouse.

The cement, reportedly stored since Benitez’s time as city mayor, was alleged to have hardened due to prolonged storage.

Gasataya dismissed speculations that the issue could cause a rift between him and Benitez.

“Contrary to those who are trying to put intrigue on the working relationship between the Office of the Congressman and the Office of the Mayor, sad to say, there is none,” Gasataya said.

He stressed that their partnership remains intact both “politically and professionally.”

“These obligations are part of the city’s day-to-day responsibilities. We cannot just ignore them or close our eyes. This is nothing political—it’s more of our obligation and responsibility,” the mayor added.