DELIVERY DENIED: DPWH Exec Snubs City Hall’s Stop Order for Jaro Road Project

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Department of Public Works and Highways–Iloilo City District Engineering Office (DPWH-ICDEO) has declined to comply with the city government’s work stoppage order for a road project in Barangay San Pedro, Jaro.

The cease and desist order, issued on April 22, was delivered to the ICDEO on Wednesday afternoon but was refused because it was not addressed directly to District Engineer Roy Pacanan.

The order, which names DPWH-6 Director Sonny Boy Oropel as the addressee, pertains to the ICDEO’s ongoing drainage and road excavation project.

The city cited the absence of essential requirements, including an excavation permit, mayor’s permit, barangay clearance, and a city ordinance allowing road closure, as grounds for halting the project.

A separate stoppage order was also issued to Abelarde Builders Supply, the project’s contractor.

Mayor Jerry Treñas emphasized that the project violated city ordinances and Department Order No. 110 of the DPWH, which requires coordination with local government units prior to implementation.

City inspectors also found the project lacked compliance with Commission on Audit Circular No. 2013-004, which mandates the posting of signage indicating project details and funding sources.

Since last year, tensions have been brewing between Treñas and Pacanan, with both officials exchanging accusations over project delays and permitting issues.

Treñas has previously criticized the ICDEO for allegedly proceeding with multiple infrastructure projects without the necessary building permits, citing data from the Office of the Building Official (OBO).

Pacanan, however, blamed the OBO for delays in permit issuance and defended his office’s procedures in an April 10 memorandum to Oropel.

In his memo, Pacanan described Treñas’ requests for documentation as “vexatious and abusive,” stating that the ICDEO had already submitted the required information.

In response, City Legal Officer Edgardo Gil wrote to Oropel on April 23, defending Treñas’ actions and calling the city’s requests “legitimate inquiries” based on complaints from affected sectors.

“These projects are situated on lands owned or administered by the City Government,” Gil wrote.

“It is therefore the duty of the City Government to seek clarification on their progress, funding, and documentation. These requests are not meant to antagonize, but to ensure accountability,” he added.

Gil called it “unfortunate” that Pacanan framed the city’s oversight as an intrusion and stressed that their office is acting in the public interest.

He also addressed Pacanan’s repeated mention of 190 city-funded infrastructure projects, clarifying that all were procured legally and are part of the city’s ongoing development initiatives.

Treñas, Gil said, is acting in accordance with his mandate to represent public concerns and uphold transparency and good governance.

“It is not only his duty but also his obligation to protect the interests of our constituents,” Gil said.