‘No duplication of proposed projects’

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The Provincial Engineer’s Office (PEO) said denied duplication of projects under the 20% development fund budget as claimed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).

Provincial Engineer Edgar Agana based his claim on validation reports submitted to Gov. Esteban Evan Contreras.

Agana said they went to barangays where questionable projects as pointed out by the provincial board members were located.

He added that the project will not be implemented if there is no deed of donation on the lot where the project will be constructed.

He said he is willing to attend the meeting if the provincial board will call him to shed light the issue. But because he was under the executive department, it needs approval of the governor.

Earlier, Vice Governor James Magbanua has said that the the so-called corrected annual investment plan (AIP) of Capiz will undergo rapid assessment and appraisal by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).

He confirmed that his office has received a copy of the “revised” proposed 2020 AIP.

The vice governor clarified that the “corrected AIP” needs approval by the Provincial Development Council (PDC) when it reconvenes anytime.

Magbanua noted that double funding in some projects, which were found by the provincial legislators, was already deleted from the AIP.

But the vice governor noticed that there were projects that have been added to old ones. He said there is no problem if the added projects will be for the benefit of Capiceños.

The provincial board will create a team to check the proposed projects under the AIP.

Magbanua said the purpose of the team is to hasten the process of the approval and review of the AIP which should have been done late in 2019.