FIRM STANCE: DPWH still blames ‘procrastinating’ City Hall office for delayed projects

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The blame game over delayed infrastructure projects continues.

The Department of Public Works and Highways-Iloilo City District Engineering Office (DPWH-ICDEO) maintains that delays in several projects result from the “procrastination” of the Office of the Building Official (OBO) of Iloilo City.

In a letter to the regional director obtained by Daily Guardian, DPWH-ICDEO head Engr. Roy Pacanan said the OBO’s initial evaluation process before the actual building permit application contradicts Republic Act (RA) 11032, also known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act.

The letter followed a July 1 request from City Administrator Melchor Tan for updates on seven infrastructure projects, including one public market and six multi-purpose buildings.

“Adopting two separate transactions—initial evaluation and building permit application—leads to a complex building permit process, an intricacy RA 11032 seeks to avoid,” Pacanan explained in the letter.

Previously, the OBO recommended that DPWH-ICDEO submit design plans in advance for initial technical evaluation before applying for a building permit.

The OBO clarified that this initial evaluation is not part of the actual building permit application but is intended to ensure the design plans comply with the minimum requirements of the National Building Code of the Philippines. This would allow for immediate correction of any deficiencies in the design.

However, this statement contradicts information on the city government’s website, which indicates that the first step in applying for a building permit is to “submit duly accomplished forms, plans and all required documents to the City Engineer’s Office, 4th Floor, City Hall Building, for initial evaluation of basic requirements.”

The DPWH-ICDEO also clarified that building permit applications for these projects are processed by the contractors or their authorized representatives.

To expedite the process, Pacanan said DPWH-ICDEO has been working with the OBO and the city government to facilitate approval and accelerate implementation.

DISCREPANCIES IN RECORDS

While detailing the status of the seven projects, Pacanan pointed out discrepancies between OBO and DPWH-ICDEO records, particularly regarding the dates for submitting documents for initial evaluation and building permit applications.

The OBO previously alleged that DPWH-ICDEO began construction and completed some projects without the necessary permits.

“We suggest the OBO carefully verify the documents on file and resolve the applications within the period stated in its Citizen’s Charter. The loss of plans after receipt by OBO may be an offense under Section 226 of the Revised Penal Code,” Pacanan emphasized.

Pacanan added that some initial evaluations of technical plans by the OBO for the delayed projects have yet to be returned to DPWH-ICDEO or its contractors.

Due to pending permits from OBO, DPWH-ICDEO opted to suspend construction on some projects, noting that some projects are constructed in phases.

“The substantial delay may be contrary to the Citizen’s Charter of Iloilo City, Section 9 (b) of the Ease of Doing Business Act, and Sections 3 (e) and (f) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” Pacanan stressed.

Pacanan also noted that the commencement of subsequent phases depends on the completion of city-funded projects or the timely approval of building permits.

OBO IS ‘PROCRASTINATING’

Pacanan suggested that City Administrator Tan, who is “completely unaware” of the situation, should be briefed on the actions of the OBO, an office directly under his jurisdiction.

Tan implied that project implementation might cease due to non-compliance with required building permits, but Pacanan argued that OBO is “procrastinating” in acting upon the permit applications.

“The City Administrator (Tan) should carefully examine the submitted documents and determine who directly caused the delay in the approval of the permits, considering that the application is pending before the city government,” Pacanan added.

‘IRREPARABLE DAMAGE’

Pacanan said the persona non grata declaration by Mayor Jerry Treñas and the city council against him has caused “irreparable damage” to his position, despite his relatively short tenure at DPWH-ICDEO.

On June 10 and June 11, respectively, the City Council and the mayor declared Pacanan unwelcome in the city.

The City Council also issued a resolution on June 10 challenging the authority of DPWH-ICDEO to construct the seven infrastructure projects.

“These concerted efforts to impede the implementation of nationally funded projects are too obvious to ignore. The unreasonable delays in civil works have deprived our people of the benefits of these projects,” Pacanan concluded.