SP body heeds Garin stance, review up anew on guv's road fund implementation
No authority was granted for Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Sr. to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that would have signaled the start of millions in fund releases for local road projects.
Set to be inked with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the deferment for the legislative authority as sought was brought by the dissenting opinion of First District Board Member Richard Garin.
To note, a committee hearing was conducted by the Committee on Infrastructure chaired by Second District Board Member June Mondejar. The MOA covers priority road rehabilitation projects under the Special Local Road Fund (SLRF).
Garin in manifesting his dissent called for clarifications on the basis of identification of said projects.
The MOA vis a vis SLRF identified bridge and structure maintenance of Linubayan Bridge, along Sta. Monica – Cordova Provincial Road at the Municipality of Tigbauan amounting to P920,000.00. Secondly, was the bridge and structure maintenance of Napnud Bridge along Leganes Poblacion-Leganes Beach Provincial Road amounting to P994,837.87. Also included was the bridge and structure maintenance of Bugtungan Presidents' Bridge along JNR, Pulang-Lupa-Malusgod-Tina Provincial Road at the Municipality of Dueñas amounting to P920,000.00 and bridge and structure maintenance of Cabilao Concrete Bridge along JNR, Abong-Tarong-Bancal Provincial Road at the Municipality of Carles amounting to P920,000.00. Finally, the list had rehabilitation/ improvement of Drainage Canal along Mina-Talibong-Yugot Provincial Road amounting to P920,000.00.
"Let it be clear that the purpose of the inquiry is to understand fully why such items were prioritized and in order to aid future project implementation upon due examination of the prescribed criteria for selection," Garin explained. "In Article II item 06. of the MOA, it was stated that "The details of these evaluation criteria, including the measurable indicators thereof and their application, are given in the prescribed evaluation format "ANNEX A" which shall be approved by the District Engineer."
The "ANNEX A" though was not among the documents furnished to the Committee Members with a request for compliance made to the Provincial Engineer.
"However, up to this date, the said "ANNEX A" which supposedly includes the details of the evaluation criteria, including the measurable indicators thereof and their application was not submitted," Garin continued. "As such, we are construed to depend upon the very vague scope of maintenance projects and activities funded under the SLRF as contained in item 02. of Article II of the said MOA. The problem now is, what if, in truth and in fact, there are areas, bridges, roads, drainage canals, etc. which need more attention or immediate repair or rehabilitation?"
Garin noted how in the committee hearing held, municipal engineers were not even aware of the proposed projects.
"This shows that no proper coordination or consultation had been made," he added while asking, "How sure are we that the 5 listed projects in the MOA are indeed the ones which should be given priority?
"In planning, especially if we are utilizing government's fund, there is a need for careful evaluation, for what is at stake here is the people's money. We must judiciously study where to place the people's money, whether or not the projects that we implement will correspondingly make a reasonable return of investment. Furthermore, we must adhere to the proper procedure as prescribed by the existing rules and regulations," Garin ended.
It was agreed that the report be referred back to the committee for further hearings and corresponding review.