Town mayor slams ‘political muck’ in cellsite project controversy

Mayor Francis Amboy of Maasin, Iloilo vowed to help finish the P2.5-million cellsite project in his town which he claimed was victimized by some “shady persons.”

Amboy made the assurance after meeting with representatives of Powerchina Philippines Corp, the general contractor of the Smart/Huawei Cellsite Tower project located at Brgy. Subog, Maasin, Iloilo.

Amboy said the controversy began when Powerchina subcontracted the project to a group of persons who claimed to be representing a certain DRB Construction.

The project was supposed to begin April or May 2021, but it only took shape later this year after Powerchina learned that the group of persons claiming to be with DRB Construction failed to put up even a single beam despite shelling out around P2.2 million.

Amboy’s name was dragged in the issue, courtesy of his political opponents, after he was accused of meddling between Powerchina, which holds office in Makati City, and the purported subcontractor.

The mayor said he did help facilitate the project seeing its benefits to subscribers, but the responsibility was still with the alleged subcontractors.

When Powerchina learned that the cellsite has yet to be constructed, it reached out to Amboy to resolve the matter and even file a blotter report with the police.

The firm’s Human Resource Office even issued a statement denying that a certain Engr. Neil Bryan Pasion or Subcon Neil Bryan Pasion was an employee of Powerchina, “nor is he authorized, associated or endorsed by our office, or in any way officially connected with any person, like Mayor Francis Amboy or organization, like DRB Construction.”

On Thursday afternoon, Chinapower met with Amboy to discuss their next month with the assurance that the cellsite will be finished despite losing a lot of money.

Amboy believes that Pasion’s group only used the name of DRB Construction to secure the subcontracting works from Chinapower.

Daily Guardian is still trying to get Pasion’s side.

Unfortunately, the mayor said his political opponent has been riding on the issue by telling their constituents that the cellsite project, which is seen to benefit 14 barangays, is fraught with corruption and will never materialize.

“I was the one that was enthusiastically helping realize this project. The cellsite will help in our communication needs, especially in this pandemic. But some persons derailed the project and several others are trying to besmirch me. But as we can see, the general contractor even tried to reach out and meet with me so we can conclude this project. They will not do that if I am part of any shady deal,” Amboy said.