DPWH Urged to Probe ICDEO Project Delays

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Iloilo City government has asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to investigate alleged delays in projects under the Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO).

In a letter dated March 13, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas formally requested DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan to look into the reasons behind the delays in ICDEO-implemented projects.

Treñas also asked Bonoan to clarify the allocation and use of funds under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for these projects.

“It is deeply concerning that several projects remain unfinished despite their funding allocations and target completion dates,” he said.

Among the unfinished projects cited were the Mandurriao Market, Barangay Concepcion Multi-Purpose Building, City Proper Multi-Purpose Building, Tanza Esperanza Multi-Purpose Building, Katilingban Multi-Purpose Building, North Fundidor Multi-Purpose Building, Balantang Multi-Purpose Building, and Barangay San Isidro Multi-Purpose Building in Jaro.

Treñas raised concerns over the lack of information from ICDEO regarding the budget and funding sources for these projects.

He pointed out that the 2025 GAA lists ICDEO’s budget as a “lump sum,” meaning specific expenditures for each project are not itemized as required by law.

“Close examination of ICDEO’s Status Report CY 2025 on ongoing infrastructure projects shows that horizontal projects implemented by ICDEO lack specific allocations and specification limits,” he said.

The mayor also questioned whether the lump-sum appropriations comply with guidelines set by the Department of Budget and Management and the Commission on Audit.

Treñas emphasized that delays and lack of transparency in these infrastructure projects deprive residents of essential public spaces and services.

“We make this inquiry because it gives the people of Iloilo City the impression that the funding for these projects may have been exhausted, yet they remain unfinished,” he said.

The letter follows a prior request on March 10, in which Treñas also sought assistance in determining the status of “unfinished infrastructure projects.”

Specifically, he requested detailed information on the different funding sources for these projects.