DPWH OFFICE SHOOTS BACK: City Hall office delayed completion of projects

 

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Department of Public Works and Highways-Iloilo City District Engineering Office (DPWH-ICDEO) reported that delays in the issuance of permits by the city’s Office of the Building Official (OBO) have hindered the completion of several infrastructure projects.

“The delay in the issuance of the permits has deprived the public of the benefits of the project and caused undue damage to the government,” said ICDEO Engr. Roy Pacanan.

Earlier in June, Pacanan was declared persona non grata by the city government through an executive order and a City Council resolution.

The City Council also revoked the DPWH-ICDEO’s authority to construct seven infrastructure projects, including one public market and six multi-purpose buildings.

In a document obtained by Daily Guardian, Pacanan said some projects have been completed, but most have been suspended due to pending permits from OBO.

The DPWH-ICDEO reported that Phase 1 of the Mandurriao Public Market was completed in June 2022, while Phase 2 was about 95 percent complete as of May this year.

The multi-purpose building in Brgy. Santa Filomena, Arevalo, finished Phase 1 in February 2024, while Phase 2 awaits funding. Phase 1 of the construction of the multi-purpose building in Brgy. Concepcion, City Proper, was completed in April 2024.

Phase 2 of the construction of a multi-purpose building in the Jalandoni Memorial National High School Sports Center was completed in April 2024, while Phase 3 is currently suspended.

Similarly, Phase 1 of multi-purpose buildings in Brgy. Esperanza and Brgy. Katilingban was completed in March 2023 and April 2024, respectively, with Phase 2 of both projects suspended.

The Balantang Multi-Purpose Building’s three phases have been suspended since January 2024.

The DPWH-ICDEO is considering invoking Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act, to address these delays with the OBO.

Pacanan said they will specifically seek the applicability of Section 9 (b) of RA 11032, which mandates processing times for applications: three days for simple transactions and seven for complex ones, with a maximum of 20 days for activities involving public risks.

The same section also states that in case of delays due to force majeure, the prescribed processing times are suspended, and no application shall be returned without appropriate action; any disapproval must be formally communicated with reasons.

The Anti-Red Tape Authority has assessed Iloilo City as fully compliant with RA 11032 for two consecutive years, 2022 and 2023. This means that the city government showed transparency, accountability, and efficiency in delivering government services.

“(ICDEO) is devoted to delivering efficient and effective government service for the general welfare of the Ilonggos,” said Pacanan.

He emphasized that the completion of the delayed projects will only be made possible through the cooperation and prompt action of other government agencies.

City Administrator Melchor Tan on July 1, 2024, asked the DPWH-6 for updates on the projects despite the agency’s project timeline.

DPWH-6 director Sanny Boy Oropel previously told Daily Guardian that they are submitting monthly updates of the projects to the city government.