ILOILO — Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) member Rolex Suplico of the 5th District has raised alarm over what he described as the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) failure to release complete records on multimillion-peso flood control projects in his district, warning that the lack of transparency could mask delays, substandard work, and other anomalies.
“Nakakuha ako sang listahan. I think 41 projects sa 5th District. The problem is, kulang ang (documents) hatag nila. Kulang Program of Works kag iban pa nga dokumento,” said Suplico.
He said he got the list from DPWH Region 6 director Joel Limpengco, but pointed out that project details are with the 3rd Engineering District. The regional office only handled biddings, he said.
“Public records ‘ni. Anybody makapangayo, including kamo (media). Wala dapat sang sikreto diri. Kinahanglan ‘ni sang publiko, especially sa gakatabo subong,” said Suplico.
Following a September 1 request from the SP, DPWH-6 submitted a list of 41 projects in the 5th District.
But aside from the Program of Works yet to be submitted, Suplico said the regional office has also yet to submit unit price analyses and contractor information.
Suplico further clarified that he was only seeking relevant flood control project documents in his district because “wala ko ya mandate sa iban nga distrito”, in answer to the contention of some SP members that other districts must be covered, too, by his flood control-related queries.
“Ang position ko amo sini: You have to do your own research, write your own privilege speech, and have the courage to stand there and deliver it. Imo na na ya. Ako ya, 5th District lang. Wala ko ya kabati sang congressman ako nga mag-imbestigar sa pihak nga distrito.”
Suplico, however, warned that paper records alone are not enough, noting that his on-site inspections have already revealed questionable practices.
Information from the President’s transparency website on flood control projects, he also said, does not give a complete picture of what’s happening on the ground.
“Indi mo mabal-an ang tunay nga sitwasyon unless kadtuan mo,” said Suplico, citing the inspections he himself did.
“For example, ang isa ka seawall na chop-chop into Section 1, 2..3…4. May kaugalingon na nga contractors kada section. Kon basahon mo lang (in the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website) indi mo mabal-an. Dapat kadtuan mo gid. Damo unfinished. Diin ka kakita seawall nga wala semento sa ibabaw? Ginatubuan na sang hilamon kag ipil ipil,” he said.
Suplico cited complaints from Ajuy town residents about three flood control projects — Barangay Barrido (P203.461 million), Barangay Pili (P240.723 million), and Barangay Mangorocoro (P411.430 million) — with a combined price tag of P855.614 million.
“May na-identify na ako nga either substandard or delayed…ginkadtuan ko gid. Mga gin report sa akon nga gintungtong lang sa duta ya pag-construct sa seawall,” Suplico revealed.
He added that even he only realized after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address that these seawalls were categorized as “flood control projects.”/PN
