ILOILO City – Critical coordination talks between the Iloilo City Government and the Department of Public Works and Highways – Iloilo City District Engineering Office (DPWH-ICDEO) have been put on hold after Mayor Raisa Treñas recalled the city’s participation, citing the uncertainty in the agency’s leadership following a sweeping purge ordered by Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon.
The meeting, initially set today, September 3, was requested by DPWH-ICDEO officer-in-charge District Engineer Roy Pacanan to tackle ongoing projects and flood-mitigation works with the City Engineer’s Office.
While Treñas had earlier authorized the attendance of city representatives, she later withdrew the approval after Dizon required all DPWH undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, regional directors, and district engineers to tender their courtesy resignations. Pacanan is covered by the directive.
“Let’s wait for Secretary Vince to finalize his decisions,” Treñas explained. “If the district engineer is reshuffled or replaced, then any coordination meeting we do now will have to be repeated. It’s more practical to wait for a new assignment than hold meetings that might just go back to square one.”
The pullout comes as flood-mitigation projects in Arevalo district, particularly in Barangay Mohon, are facing public scrutiny for transparency lapses. Inspection revealed that project boards lacked key details such as contract IDs, start dates, and completion targets, while residents in Iloilo City and neighboring Oton have raised concerns that the structures may have even worsened flooding in some areas.
City Hall insiders admit the delay could frustrate residents demanding accountability.
“The people are demanding answers about why flooding persists despite hundreds of millions of pesos spent on mitigation,” a City Hall source said. “But without clear leadership at the ICDEO, it’s difficult to establish accountability.”
For now, Iloilo City is taking a wait-and-see stance, leaving DPWH’s central office to decide whether Pacanan will remain or be replaced at the helm of the ICDEO./PN