Mayor, brgy chief keep off project

CEBU, Philippines - The mayor of the Municipality of Tabogon and the barangay captain of Ilihan in the town have washed their hands off over a project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that is reportedly being implemented without confirmation from the owner of the affected lots.

In separate letters to Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Eulogio Apostol dated March 21, 2012, Mayor Eusebio Dungog and Barangay Captain Jesus Perez said they were neither informed of the projects nor did DPWH coordinate with them about the road improvement.

“Thus, my office denies any involvement in any irregularity or anomaly pertaining to said project,” Dungog said.

“Thus, the office of Barangay Ilihan, Tabogon, Cebu has no hand in any damage incurred to the property of Ms. Cristeta L. Parana,” Perez’ letter reads.

Both assured support to any investigation on the project.

The project, which rehabilitates a one-kilometer barangay road from Barangay Ilihan, Tabogon to Barangay San Miguel in the neighboring San Remigio town is reportedly funded by the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon.

The project, undertaken by Duros Construction costs P16 million. The concreting and asphalting project traverses a sugarcane plantation.

Salimbangon confirmed that a case is pending before the anti-graft office regarding the said project.

On September 30, 2011, a certain Cristeta Parana filed before the anti-graft office a complaint against the DPWH First DEO for allegedly implementing the project without proper confirmation from the owner of the lots where the right of way has been assigned.

Last November 21, 2011, Assistant Ombudsman for the Visayas Virginia Palanca-Santiago called a conference between Parana and Engr. Wilfredo Enciso of DPWH First DEO.

The anti-graft office ordered DPWH to conduct ocular inspection on the subject lot in the complaint.

In her report dated January 25, 2012, Assistant District Engineer, Marietta Ecarma confirmed that the lot of Parana is located along the existing barangay road in Ilihan, Tabogon.

Parana complained that the right of way encroached to her property.

But Engr. Susan Ornopia, the chief of planning and design section of DPWH First DEO, said the matter was already traced out during the conference at the office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

Ornopia said the municipality and the barangay were in-charge of initiating the road-right-of-way while the DPWH implemented the road improvement project. —(FREEMAN)