Council warns persona non grata anew on ICDEO chief

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Iloilo City Council warned that Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO) officer-in-charge Roy Pacanan could face a new persona non grata declaration if he continues to refuse appearing before the city government regarding flood control projects.

Councilor Romel Duron said Pacanan’s absence from the quad committee hearing on Monday morning, August 11, regarding the investigation on private and public waterway projects could trigger another declaration.

“If needed, why not? If he is still persistent with his reasons, which we cannot accept,” Duron said.

Duron, who leads the quad committee, warned that the ICDEO could also face difficulties in securing permits.

“It is as if they do not exist. Us, we exist for the people. Where does Pacanan exist? He was just appointed. We have a mandate. We were chosen by the people,” he said.

Pacanan was already declared persona non grata by then-Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and subsequently by the City Council in 2024.

Duron stressed that Pacanan had prejudged the City Council as biased by claiming the investigation may not be in aid of legislation but “in aid of political demolition.”

He emphasized that the hearing’s intent is to gather information and data to help the city address persistent flooding issues.

Duron said Pacanan was invited as a resource person, not to be grilled.

“There are questions that we can’t answer, and the proper person to answer is the one implementing the projects. There are complaints,” he said.

He also clarified that with several developments, such as subdivision construction in Jaro district, the ICDEO projects are not being singled out as the sole cause of flooding.

“Why are they not attending? Because of alleged political demolition. There is no authority. His reasons are far from reality,” he added.

Councilor Rex Marcus Sarabia said Pacanan’s refusal actually obstructs the government’s intention to craft legislative measures to address flooding.

“If the government collects half-baked data because the ICDEO does not want to participate, it will obstruct the government’s procedure and intention,” Sarabia said.

Citing complaints from barangay captains and other local officials, Sarabia noted a clear before-and-after difference in flooding conditions.

He explained that the council’s investigation is in aid of legislation, which can compel the attendance of resource persons when legislative measures need to be formulated.

“Whatever solutions we can discover through this investigation in aid of legislation will eventually be translated into legislative measures,” he added.

Potential solutions discussed include expropriating private lands, dredging, and investing in more pumping stations and drainage systems.

The hearing was attended by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Association of Barangay Captains, PAGASA, and representatives from the academe.

Pacanan has argued that the power of inquiry or investigation in aid of legislation is granted only to the Senate and the House of Representatives under the 1987 Constitution, and that no equivalent power is provided to the council in the Local Government Code.

He also questioned the absence of any proposed ordinance tied to the inquiry.