P15M power substation's 'technical' problems irk Silla
First District Board Member Bernardo Silla wants answers and he wants it immediately after 1 year and 5 months of waiting for any update relative to the promised probe on the P15 million Capitol power substation.
Silla's renewed sentiments against the project triggered by latest (mis) developments that now disclosed significant "technical problems" that continues to delay the project's operation.
Reacting to news interviews granted by Engineer Romeo Andig to Capitol reporters, Silla told The News Today (TNT) he was surprised and dismayed to hear of yet another setback for the multi-million power substation.
While it was certainly good news that legal questions pertaining to provisional authority needed by the Capitol was reported to have been granted, latest information from Engr. Andig of the Provincial Engineer's Office that the purchased equipment has a technical problem irked the First District Board Member.
It was Silla who called for an investigation before the Sanggunian Panlalawigan if only to seek answers on the project's real status, viability and legality.
1 year and 5 months since his September 2005 privilege speech, Silla has yet to be told of any findings nor actions taken by the Committee of the Whole chaired by Board Member Domingo Oso Jr.
"I want the official report of Engineer Andig. And I want to know what has happened to the investigation. While this is a vindication for my part, I am disheartened to know that nothing good has come out yet on the P15 million of hard-earned taxpayers' money. This is not right. This is very wrong," Silla said.
The Capitol power substation hounded with controversies was pushed by Governor Niel Tupas back in 2002. It was then pushed to supposedly generate some P300,000 in monthly savings to the Capitol's electric bill and provide a more stable power supply.
To date, the Iloilo Provincial Government continues to pay an average of P1.2 million in monthly bill to the Panay Electric Company Inc. (PECO).