ILOILO CITY – The Iloilo City Council cancelled seven key projects implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways-Iloilo City following the pronouncement by Mayor Jerry Treñas.

The Iloilo City Hall as seen from Plaza Libertad. (Tara Yap)
The Iloilo City Council passed a resolution this week that cancelled work for the seven infrastructure projects citing delays as the reason.
Cancelled projects were Mandurriao Public Market in Mandurriao District and construction of the multi-purpose buildings in Barangay Tanza-Esperanza, City Proper District; Barangay Dulonan, Arevalo District; Barangay Santa Filomena, Arevalo District; Barangay Katilingban, Molo District; Barangay Dungon C, Mandurriao District, and Barangay Balantang, Jaro District.
The resolution was passed by the Iloilo City Council without being reviewed by the Committee on Engineering and Public Works and Highways.
Councilor Johnny Young, committee chairman, said that the resolution was passed as it was an “urgent request” of the mayor who was non-stop with his criticisms against the DPWH-Iloilo City last week.
Treñas had been issuing statements against the DPWH-Iloilo City which had to vacate its offices after it was evicted by the city government for allegedly occupying city government land.
He said that his administration will cancel the DPWH projects.
“These projects are terribly delayed,” said Treñas in one of his Facebook statements.
These projects were facilitated by Iloilo City Rep. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda, Treñas’ former political ally.
The mayor announced last March that Baronda will be replaced by his daughter Raisa Treñas-Chu. He has been openly campaigning for his daughter’s congressional candidacy.
With the cancellation, he said the Iloilo City government “will look for the funds to complete the projects.”
Trenas also urged the Iloilo City Council to pass a resolution declaring Engr. Roy Pacanan, the officer-in-charge (OIC) of DPWH-Iloilo City, as persona non-grata or unwanted person.