Top Capitol engrs face power substation probe

By Florence F. Hibionada

Four top engineers of the Provincial Engineers’ Office (PEO) are expected in today’s (Wednesday) first day of the marathon probe set by the Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP).

Headed by PEO Chief Gracianito Lucero, the “invited resource persons” was called on by the SP body tasked to investigate matters surrounding the delay of the Capitol substation.

As such, members of the SP Committee of theWhole will take turns in grilling the four, that is, if any of them will show up and grace the opening of the investigation.  Over-all, twelve hearing dates have been set with top Capitol department heads next in line to appear with official invites.  Future appearances set on the Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays of the next two weeks will also see the appearance or non-appearance of private personalities.

Vice Governor Roberto Armada stands as the Committee chair.  In an earlier interview, Armada vowed to resolve the issue at hand with corresponding recommendations aimed at establishing answers on the foremost question of, “why is there no power substation as of yet?”

At least three years in the making, the Capitol power substation project was designed to generate savings and stable power supply to the Iloilo Provincial Government’s stay in the new Capitol building.

The investigation came into view following the privilege speech of First District Board Member Bernardo Silla, decrying what he said could be a “white elephant” and waste of government funds.

On top of the high expectations generated by the first day probe, The News Today learned from Capitol sources of two other Committee hearings called at the same time and the same day.  As to what it will do to the substation probe, observers await which amongst the public hearings will see the presence of more majority members.