Councilor wants liaison office for national infra projects

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

COUNCILOR Ely Estante Jr. called for the creation of a permanent office that will coordinate the implementation of national government projects in Iloilo City, particularly infrastructure works.

COUNCILOR Ely Estante Jr. called for the creation of a permanent office that will coordinate the implementation of national government projects in Iloilo City, particularly infrastructure works.

The proposal was part of Estante’s committee report as chairman of the Committee on Engineering, Construction, and Public Works which investigated in aid of legislation the delayed road projects implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Iloilo City.

Estante said the selection of contractors and punishing erring firms are the sole jurisdiction of the DPWH.

But he said delays could be avoided if there were proper coordination and consultation between the local government and DPWH prior to the implementation of the projects.

In the legislative inquiry held last July attended by DPWH engineers and contractors, the committee found that certain delays are due to two main factors – contractor’s fault and non-contractor’s fault.

The contractor’s fault includes lack of materials and equipment, inadequate workforce, and absence of project supervision.

Factors beyond the contractor’s control are force majeure such as rain and high tide; site obstacles such as utility poles, power lines and cables, drainage pipes of Metro Iloilo Water District, and illegal structures; road right of way issues; congestion; and other unforeseen circumstances.

“When does the local government have a say? In the design and prior implementation as well as in the monitoring of ongoing projects as mandated by Section 27, Section 2, and Section 26 of the Local Government Code,” Estante said.

Section 27 states that no project or program shall be implemented by government authorities unless the consultations mentioned in Section 2 (c) and Section 26 are done.

Section 2 (c) states that all national agencies are required to conduct periodic consultations with local government units before any project or program is implemented in their jurisdictions.

Section 26 mandates national agencies to consult with LGUs and explain the goals and objectives of the project, its impact in terms of environmental and ecological balance, and the measures to be undertaken to prevent or minimize the adverse effects thereof.

Estante also cited the Task Force Infra created by Mayor Jose Espinosa III in 2017 to sit as a coordination body on infrastructure projects in the city.

Espinosa serves as chairperson while Estante is the co-chair. Other members of the task force are the city engineer and representatives from the DPWH and public utilities.

But Estante said task forces are ad hoc by nature and subject to the whims of the current administration, thus the need to establish a permanent coordination office.