ON AUGUST 4, Bacolod City’s Mayor Greg Gasataya held a press conference.
He made a subtle revelation — slash warning — about two drainage projects in the city that are fast gaining infamy.
The two projects — one in Purok Nangka, Barangay 3 and the other in the Reclamation Area near the Pope John Paul II Tower — cost a combined P32 million.
Both were reportedly initiated during the previous city administration of former mayor-turned-congressman Albee Benitez.
UNDONE
So, what’s the issue?
The drainage projects remain unfinished, even though reports reaching Mayor Greg’s office say they were supposed to have been completed last April or May.
Upon assessment, the Barangay 3 project is only about 7% done. The one in the Reclamation Area appears to be less than 50% complete. Both projects share the same contractor.
Mayor Greg warned that he might terminate this contractor’s contract. Worse, he may even push to have the contractor blacklisted.
To ensure every action is aboveboard, Mayor Greg issued Executive Order No. 7, creating the Bacolod City Contract Termination Review Committee.
Headed by City Attorney Karol Joseph Chiu, the committee is tasked with evaluating the procurement contracts of these projects for possible termination.
‘SILENT WAR’?
Now, here’s where the main discourse comes in.
Cong. Albee, the former Bacolod mayor, has been very visible in criticizing the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) over controversial flood control projects nationwide, including alleged “ghost” projects.
Albee even challenged DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan to take a leave of absence once the flood control probe begins.
Every day, Albee takes to Facebook to post gentle but persistent rants built on the words “transparency” and “accountability.” Commendable.
Why did Mayor Greg bring up the tale of the two unfinished drainage projects just when Cong. Albee was making the media rounds in Manila, pushing his transparency and accountability advocacies?
Is there a “silent war” between Albee and Greg?
SILENCE
When Mayor Greg revealed the state of the drainage projects in his press conference, the media remained silent. No one dared to comment, bring up former mayor Albee’s name, or even ask the obvious “why” and “how” questions.
But in the days that followed, Bacolod’s radio programs were abuzz with talk that the two projects started under the previous Benitez administration. And amid all the on-air commentaries, Councilor Caesar Distrito — Albee’s personal spokesman — remained conspicuously quiet.
The silence was deafening.
REPERCUSSION
Many are baffled that Albee is lambasting controversial flood control projects nationwide when, in fact, his former Bacolod City administration also has unfinished business to explain.
The potential repercussion could be significant for the Bacolod solon. After all, he had challenged DPWH Secretary Bonoan to take a leave to ensure impartiality in the flood control probe.
WHAT’S THE GAME PLAN?
So here’s the question: What’s the real score in revealing the tale of the drainage projects? Was it merely a reminder? Or was it meant to embarrass Cong. Albee while he’s on a national crusade against billion-peso flood control projects — a crusade amplified by President Bongbong Marcos in his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 28?
Are Albee and Greg heading toward a political divorce?
For now, let’s stay keen observers of what’s happening here and there./PN
