Treñas questions City Hall’s P16.5M ‘walkway’ project

AND the mudslinging begins

Iloilo City Lone district Rep. Jerry P. Treñas mulls filing a criminal charge for technical malversation against those involved in the proposed P16.5-million walkway project of the city government along the Sunburst Park.

Dubbed the Development of Park in the City Civic Center, the project is funded by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Treñas claimed that the fund for the walkway was misused.

“How can you use the fund which is specific to parks and plazas for a walkway? That is technical malversation,” he said in a phone interview.

In an interview with the City Hall press, Dolly Zoluaga, assistant department head of the City Planning and Development Office, explained that the project involves the creation of a “safe walking corridor” or “walkway” connecting the Sunburst Park to Plaza Libertad going to the contiguous side of the Iloilo City Hall.

It was conceptualized way back in 2014, she added.

“Because if you have noticed, there is no sidewalk at Muelle Loney area and JM Basa. So we see to it that the people can safely pass by,” she said.

Zoluaga explained that the project is also part of the “Green, Green, Green” program recently launched by the DBM which is a component of the “Build, Build, Build” of the Duterte administration.

As stated on the DBM website, Green, Green, Green “will help city governments create forest parks, arboretum, and botanical gardens; improve livability of urban areas through various activities and methods such as landscaping, turfing, and tree planting; and transform streetscapes through installation of eco-friendly street furniture, fixtures, and shading.”

It will also “increase connectivity and accessibility of public open spaces by creating bike lanes and walkways, and enhance sustainability through the construction of green infrastructures such as bioswales and pervious surfaces, which aid during rainy season and flooding.”

THREAT?

Meanwhile, Treñas denied that he “threatened” Zoluaga when the latter visited his office on Sept 27 to present the project.

“I did not threaten her. Ginhambalan ko lang siya kun sigehon niya, filan ko siya kaso,” he said.

Zoluaga claimed that she was “surprised” by the reaction of the congressman. She further claimed she got “intimidated’ when the congressman asked for her ID and had it photocopied to be used in the filing of the case

“I do not have any intention of irking him. I only presented to him that there will be a passage then possibly a park…I can’t recall the exact words he said but it’s almost hurtful. Wala man buyayaw pero ang indi ko lang nagustuhan is ang pag-threat niya,” she said.

Zoluaga clarified that the passage will not affect the congressman’s building which located at Macario Peralta Street.

She said a portion of the lot might be affected but it could also be possibly avoided. She added that Treñas might have misinterpreted the presentation.

“I am just doing my job. Never in my career did I intend to insult anyone. It was just part of my work,” she said.

Treñas admitted he asked for Zoluaga’s ID because he does not know her and it is his first time meeting her.

“She just came to my office. I do not even know her. Nagsulod lang siya kag nagpresent nga indi ko siya gani kilala. That’s why I asked for her ID,” he said.

He added other people inside his office could prove that he did not threaten her physically.

“I only asked her regarding who planned the project because I will file the necessary charges,” Treñas said.

Mayor Jose Espinosa III said Treñas should not involve the city department heads in their political rivalry. The brothers-in-law (magbilas) will face each other in the 2019 mayoral race.

“Kung may issues siya sa akon, sa akon lang ya. Indi ya pag-anhon mga empleyado kay ti …way man ko da ya gahambal,” he said.

Espinosa said the city would legally defend Zoluaga if the congressman charges her.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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