Iloilo City awaits DPWH action on Discaya projects

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu confirmed that the city government is awaiting guidance from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regarding flood mitigation projects handled by construction firms owned by Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya.

The move comes after the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) issued Board Resolution No. 075, which revoked the licenses of nine firms controlled by the Discayas.

Approved on Sept. 1 and released to the public on Sept. 3, the resolution cited the firms’ role in securing over PHP 30 billion worth of government flood control contracts nationwide within three years.

Among the affected projects is a PHP 403 million flood control structure in Barangay Bo. Obrero, Lapuz, currently being implemented by St. Timothy Construction Corp., one of the blacklisted contractors and ranked third nationwide in awarded flood control contracts.

On Sept. 11, Mayor Treñas-Chu, along with representatives from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), City ENRO, Office of the Building Official (OBO), and City Engineer’s Office (CEO), conducted an ocular inspection at the Lapuz project site.

“We have sent the list of related ongoing projects to the DPWH and are waiting for their instructions on whether the national or local government should halt these projects,” Treñas-Chu said.

“For the meantime, they are allowed to continue construction, although technically, it should already be on hold,” she added.

The Lapuz project spans 645 linear meters and is divided into three sections.

Section 1 is budgeted at PHP 141.86 million and is 98.83% complete.

Section 2 is budgeted at PHP 141.80 million and is 95.82% complete.

Both sections, totaling 410 linear meters, are funded under the 2024 General Appropriations Act.

The third segment, Waterways Rehabilitation and Coastal Protection – Section 1, has a budget of PHP 119.42 million and is suspended at 51.47% completion due to obstruction from a power barge, and is proposed under the 2025 national budget.

Treñas-Chu questioned the necessity and scale of the project, noting that residents originally requested only a seawall rehabilitation.

“The community asked for seawall repair. Now it’s a full-blown flood mitigation structure that stretches 15 meters from the old seawall,” she said, adding the project is estimated to cost around PHP 700,000 per linear meter.

She also raised concerns about the lack of prior consultation between the DPWH and the city government.

OBO Head Engr. Mavi Gustilo said the project includes slope protection with wave deflectors, box culverts, drainage, and a 6.7-meter-wide carriageway.

The wave deflector is designed to redirect sea waves away from the residential area.

Meanwhile, OIC CENRO Head Armin Halili said it remains unclear whether the project violates easement laws, as the cadastral survey has not yet been completed.

To comply with local tax obligations, St. Timothy Construction Corp. recently paid PHP 2.33 million in local taxes to the city government for the three Lapuz projects.

In a previous statement, the DPWH Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO) defended the project, denying allegations of substandard work and accusing the mayor of “peddling fake news.”

Supporting the DPWH, Barangay Bo. Obrero Punong Barangay James Conlu said in a radio interview that the structures are already in place and have begun benefiting the local community.