ILOILO City – Mayor Raisa Treñas has lifted the cease-and-desist order (CDO) against the Department of Public Works and Highways – Iloilo City District Engineering Office’s (DPWH-ICDEO) waterway projects in this city following the agency’s commitment to conduct a joint scientific assessment.
However, construction remains on hold.
The mayor’s decision came after a meeting with Public Works secretary Manuel Bonoan on July 25, where both parties agreed to launch a “joint, scientific, and comprehensive study” to evaluate the potential impacts of ongoing infrastructure projects on creeks, rivers, and flood-prone areas.
“This commitment satisfies the main objective of the original CDO, which is to ensure no infrastructure project compromises public safety or worsens flooding,” Treñas said.
She emphasized, however, that the suspension of works stays in effect until a go-signal is issued by Secretary Bonoan and the DPWH Region 6 director.
“I want to remind ICDEO that proper coordination is required under DPWH Order 110 and the Local Government Code. No project should move forward without certainty it benefits the people and does not bring harm,” the mayor stressed.
Treñas also expressed her appreciation to the DPWH for its willingness to subject the projects to a science-based review, saying the results of the assessment will inform the city’s next actions.
Recently, the ICDEO flatly rejected the CDO, labeling it “legally invalid” and “ultra vires.”
ICDEO head Engr. Roy Pacanan asserted that Mayor Treñas has no legal authority to suspend national infrastructure projects.
Citing Republic Act No. 8975, Pacanan said only the Supreme Court may stop or delay nationally funded public works, and not local government units.
“Under existing laws and jurisprudence, only the Supreme Court may issue a temporary restraining order or injunction against national government projects,” he stressed. “Clearly, the issuance of the cease-and-desist order is ultra vires.”
The city mayor had raised concerns over the lack of coordination between the DPWH and the local government, particularly in dredging and flood control works along Buntatala Creek, Dungon Creek, and the Iloilo River.
But Pacanan countered this, saying the ICDEO had regularly submitted monthly status reports to the city government since February 2024 and had made multiple efforts to hold dialogues.
“The city was duly informed, yet only acted after flooding had already occurred,” Pacanan said.
Warning of legal escalation, he said, “We will not take this sitting down, we will pursue all available legal remedies, including invoking the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” should the city insist on implementing the CDO./PN
