The Case of the Runway Pothole

By The Sunriser

It was another fine December day in Iloilo City when Mayor Jerry Treñas, ever the vigilant guardian of all things inconvenient, turned his attention to the beleaguered Iloilo International Airport.

The cause of his ire? A pothole on the runway that led to unexpected flight delays.

Armed with righteous indignation and a Facebook account, the good mayor wasted no time in calling for accountability from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). After all, what self-respecting city leader wouldn’t demand answers for a disruption caused by something as trivial as “ensuring passenger safety”?

The Emergency That Ruffled Feathers

The story began innocently enough—a small pothole on the runway was discovered, and CAAP immediately issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to conduct emergency repairs. To their credit, the team patched the offending hole by noon, ensuring that flights could safely resume.

But for Treñas, it wasn’t just a pothole; it was a blemish on Iloilo’s reputation, public safety be damned. And as Chairperson of the Infrastructure Development Committee of the Regional Development Council (RDC), he took it upon himself to voice his disappointment with an air of authority.

However, one tiny detail seemed to escape him: mayors don’t actually have jurisdiction over national agencies like CAAP. But hey, piss on technicalities when there’s a holiday audience on Facebook?

Enter Tyoy, the Fly on the Wall

According to Daily Guardian’s trusty City Hall informant “Tyoy,” the mayor’s resolve to hold CAAP accountable soon took an unexpected turn. After meeting with CAAP officials and airport managers, Treñas reportedly became so amiable that he offered them lechon and bottles of brandy to toast the retirement of Iloilo Airport Manager Manuela Luisa Palma.

The CAAP delegation, perhaps mindful of cholesterol levels and holiday decorum, politely declined. But Treñas, never one to take no for an answer, persisted in his offer, perhaps believing that even lechon can patch over runway potholes and strained relations.

The Joke That Landed

As the meeting drew to a close, one of the CAAP officials, perhaps emboldened by the mayor’s sudden hospitality, quipped (read: joked) that they might find themselves in Treñas’ crosshairs again—this time to “curry more favors.”

Whether this was a playful jab or a Freudian slip is anyone’s guess, but Tyoy swears the mayor laughed it off. After all, what’s a little pothole between friends who share lechon and banter?

A Lesson in Diplomacy

This episode, while amusing, serves as a gentle reminder of the complexities of public service. Treñas may have started the day as an indignant advocate for passengers, but he ended it as a gracious host, brandy in hand.

Perhaps the true moral of this story is that potholes can be patched, flights can be rescheduled, and accountability can sometimes be… seasoned with a side of lechon.

As for the CAAP officials, they’ll likely remember this day as the time they nearly walked away with a roasted pig—and the mayor’s good graces.

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Iloilo City Hires Explode, Budget Finds Holiday Spirit

The Iloilo City Government seems to be on a mission to set records, but not the kind you expect. From 4,760 job hires in 2022 and 4,631 in 2023, the city has managed to nearly double its ranks this year, hitting a whopping 8,200—proving that when it comes to hiring, City Hall is unmatched.

This remarkable growth didn’t come without a price tag. The recently approved Supplemental Budget No. 5 allocated PHP 57.4 million for gratuity pay, ensuring that each job hire and contract worker gets PHP 7,000. Regular employees, meanwhile, are set to receive PHP 20,000 as a Service Recognition Incentive (SRI). Christmas spirit? Check. Oversized payroll? Double-check.

“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated staff who continue to work tirelessly, even as others are already enjoying their Christmas parties,” declared Mayor Jerry Treñas. Tireless indeed—especially in processing a payroll that’s growing faster than Iloilo’s economy.

City Hall’s workforce growth has been meteoric, but what’s behind this hiring spree? Is the government solving unemployment one contract at a time, or are we seeing an inflation of positions to pad the books? Either way, the COA’s reports from 2022 and 2023 suggest that City Hall went from a lean machine to a full-blown employment hub in just two years.

Critics might wonder if the 8,200 workers are an indicator of efficiency or simply evidence of a city government that has turned job creation into an art form. For now, the spotlight remains on ensuring that everyone—whether veteran employee or freshly signed job order—gets their slice of the holiday pie.

With PHP 57.4 million in gratuity pay up for grabs, Iloilo City’s job hires can celebrate their role in what could only be described as the government’s “Christmas Employment Special.” Meanwhile, those keeping an eye on the city’s books may have to wait for next year’s COA report to find out if the hiring spree was a gift or a fiscal misstep.

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Capitol’s PHP 197M Peace Fund: Keeping Calm, Carrying On

The Iloilo Provincial Government has declared war—on disorder, that is—by approving a whopping PHP 197 million for its peace and order fund for 2024. With this sizable budget, the province appears to be saying, “No chaos on our watch!”

In a report authored by 4th District Board Member Domingo Oso, Jr., the funds are allocated to ensure tranquility across Iloilo.

The breakdown of expenses reads like a wish list for a perfectly peaceful province. There’s PHP 24.4 million for safety and security services, PHP 46 million to keep security guards on post, and PHP 72.5 million in financial assistance for day care workers, barangay health workers, nutrition scholars, and service point officers—all unsung heroes in the battle against everyday disruptions.

And because no peace plan is complete without addressing deeper issues, PHP 4.1 million will fuel the anti-illegal drugs campaign.

Meanwhile, barangay tanods—frontline peacekeepers armed with whistles and flashlights—will receive PHP 42 million in financial aid, because keeping the streets quiet isn’t cheap.

Even the Iloilo Police Provincial Office gets a slice of the pie with PHP 1.5 million. It’s not exactly a jackpot, but enough to remind everyone they’re part of the peacekeeping team.

With this much money on the line, one can only wonder: will this investment finally make Iloilo the poster child for serenity? Or is it just a hefty down payment on keeping things calm enough to avoid headlines?

For now, residents can rest assured that when it comes to peace and order, the provincial government is sparing no expense—because in Iloilo, tranquility apparently comes with a PHP 197-million price tag.