‘UNSUBSTANTIATED ALLEGATION’: DPWH refutes Treñas’ delay claims on JM Basa drainage

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Iloilo City District Engineer Roy Pacanan strongly denied accusations by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas that the drainage project along JM Basa Street is delayed.

In a letter obtained by Daily Guardian, Pacanan called Treñas’ statements “unsubstantiated allegations” and accused the mayor of perpetuating a “pattern of personal accusations” against him.

Pacanan, who was declared persona non grata by Treñas in June, blamed the city government’s delayed responses and inefficiencies for project setbacks.

“Had the city government responded to our requests for meetings as early as May 2024, the project could have been completed ahead of schedule. Instead of pointing fingers, Mayor Treñas should address inefficiencies in his administration,” Pacanan said.

He noted that the DPWH requested coordination meetings with the city government starting February 15, 2024, but the first meeting only occurred on May 2, 2024. This delay led to revisions in the project plan to accommodate city government requests.

Pacanan also highlighted that multiple follow-up letters for road closure coordination went unanswered for months. The DPWH only received a response from the City Council on September 12, with a committee hearing held on September 19—106 days later.

The delays, Pacanan argued, may constitute violations of the Ease of Doing Business Act and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

“We intend to forward this matter to the appropriate office to determine possible criminal or administrative sanctions,” he said.

Pacanan emphasized that Treñas had “actual and personal knowledge” of the project’s timeline, as outlined in road closure ordinances approved by the City Council.

The project involves a 292-day lane closure from September 26, 2024, to July 13, 2025, with completion expected by April 6, 2025.

“As of December 26, 2024, the project is 51.62% complete, which is ahead of schedule, contrary to claims of delays,” Pacanan said. He attributed some challenges to underground telecommunication lines in the project area.

Pacanan also disputed Treñas’ claims in a December 17 letter to DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, where the mayor alleged delays and requested intervention from the DPWH Central Office.

“This is erroneous and baseless. We never made such an assurance,” Pacanan stated.

He clarified that while the project contractor requested a temporary suspension on December 13 to allow for local activities, there was no confirmation from the mayor’s office on whether the suspension was granted.

In his no-holds-barred response, Pacanan described Treñas’ public remarks as “unprofessional” and “unethical.”

“It is a basic tenet in ethics that making impulsive press statements without verifying facts is unprofessional,” he said.

The DPWH official reaffirmed his commitment to completing the project as scheduled and called for proper coordination moving forward.