Espinosa removes Estante from Task Force Infra

ILOILO City – Councilor Ely Estante, a supporter of Cong. Jerry Treñas’ bid for mayor, was booted out of the city government’s Task Force Infra as co-chairman.

Mayor Jose Espinosa III issued Executive Order (EO) No. 106 amending EO No. 77-2017 that created Task Force Infra and ordering a reorganization.

Councilor R Leone Gerochi replaced Estante.

Gerochi is Espinosa’s running mate for vice mayor in the 2019 elections.

The reelectionist Estante, on the other hand, belonged to the lineup of Treñas.

Espinosa admitted politics was a factor in Estante’s removal from the task force.

“Kay ti sa pihak sya nga grupo. Also, the task force is an executive nga tranaho, and I want to see to it nga may direct line sa akon ang co-chairman kag may isa kami ka tinutuyo,” said Espinosa.

As mayor, Espinosa chairs the task force with the chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod comitte on public works (currently Estante) as co-chair.

The task force includes as members the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) Region 6, City Engineer’s Office, Public Safety and Transportation Management Office, and City Planning and Development Office.

Estante played down his removal from the task force. He said his appointment to the task force was a “political accomodation.”

“Na-expect ko na ina considering nga diri na ako sa pihak naglinya,” Estante added.

But he also acknowledged that as mayor, Espinosa has the prerogative who to appoint to certain city government posts.

Executive Order No. 106 was issued on Oct. 30. Estante said he has yet to receive a copy and did not know about it until he was told about it. This was the reason why he still attended the task force’s meeting on Nov.7.

The task force – responsible for coordinating the implementation of infrastructure projects in the city by other agencies, particularly DPWH – was created through an EO late last year.

Curiously, Executive Order No. 106 reorganizing the task force has not listed the SP committee on public works as member.

Estante said he was thankful to Espinosa for giving him the opportunity to serve the task force, short-lived as it maybe./PN

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