Inconsistent explanations hound Pavia road project
The district engineer in Iloilo Rep. Judy Syjuco's district is now amenable to channel the implementation of a controversial road repair project in Pavia to the local and provincial government after drawing criticisms from Pavia Mayor Arcadio Gorriceta.
Engineer George Suy of the 4th Engineering District said in a telephone interview that the local government of Pavia can enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Department of Budget and Management (DBM) so that the project can be implemented by the LGU and the provincial government.
"I will pose no objections ifthere is a MOA," said Suy.
Gorriceta earlier lashed atIloilo Rep. Judy Syjuco of allegedly "high-jacking" and attempting to implement an overpriced road repair project worth P28 million.
The mayor claimed that Syjuco had asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to release the funds through the DPWH in her district after it was approved upon request of the local government of Pavia.
Gorriceta said that Syjuco took no interest in the project until the funds were approved and released.
"She said it should be implemented by the province because it's not a national road. But now she wants it. I find it highly irregular and anomalous," Gorriceta said in a telephone interview.
Syjuco could not be reached for comment as of 2:48 p.m. yesterday. The News Today called her officeat the House of Representatives in Quezon City twice and relayed to her staff a request for her statement on the issue but she failed to respond or return the call.
Gorriceta said that last July, he requested the financial assistance for the road repair project from Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas who is also action officer of the Task Force Panay, the multi-agency body that supervises that rehabilitation program for areas damaged by typhoon "Frank."
The project involves the repair of the 3.4-km Pagsanga-an-Tigum-Cabugao Norte road in Pavia which was severely damaged by floodwaters triggered by the typhoon. The road connects the Pavia with the neighboring town of Leganes and other Iloilo towns.
Gorriceta said that he also requested the DPWH that the implementation of the project will be done by the local government of Pavia through a MOA between the LGU and DPWH.
The mayor said that for the same amount, he had offered to construct a concrete road measuring 6.10 meters wide and 9 inches thick instead of repair and asphalting as earlier requested.
Last August 28, the DPWH informed Gorriceta that the fund will be released in three installments: P10 million, P10 million and P8 million.
But the mayor said he was surprised when he was informed on September 4 that the initial P10.5 million has already been released to the DPWH 4th Engineering District upon the request of Syjuco.
Gorriceta claimed thatSuy informed him the next day that the project had already been awarded to Patrila Construction Company through a negotiated contract because the repair is part of calamity assistance.
Suy allegedly told the mayor that the work had started and this would involved restoration of the gravel road and not asphalting or concreting.
The DPWH denied that the project has already been awarded to a contractor and that it is already being implemented.
DPWH Assistant Regional Director Joby Cordon said in a telephone interview said there was nothing irregular with the request of Syjuco to channel the appropriation for the road repair project to the DPWH district office.
Cordon said the appropriation for the Pavia road project was only one of the projects downloaded to the DPWH office in Syjuco's district.
"Other congressmen also made the same request to channel the project to their respective districts," said Cordon.
She said the project can be implemented by the LGU through a MOA if the DPWH can confirm the capability of the LGU to undertake the project.
Suy said the mayor "misinterpreted" their conversation regarding the awarding of the project.
"The project has not been awarded to any contractor. I told him that Patrila (Construction Company) was willing to work but it has to go to the bidding process," he said.
Asked on the specification of the repair work, Suy said the project specification called for "repair and rehabilitation work" and means that the gravel road will be restored to its status before it was damaged.
But Cordon said repair and rehabilitation is not limited to restoring the road to its original status but could also be improved including asphalting and concreting.
Gorriceta said P28 million is "too much" for restoringthe gravel road because the budget was intended for at least an asphalt road.