ILOILO CITY — Rep. Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda here has maintained that the seven infrastructure projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Iloilo City cancelled by the Iloilo City Council are needed.

BARONDA (FB)
“Ini nga mga proyekto sabat sa mga gindangop sa aton nga problema sang pumuluyo kag sa mga kakulangan sa kabarangayan nga aton natukiban sa akon paglibot-libot (These projects are the solutions to the problems brought to my attention by the people when I went around the barangays),” said Baronda in a statement mostly in the Hiligaynon language.
The Iloilo City Council passed a resolution this week to abide by the request of Mayor Jerry Treñas to cancel seven projects implemented by the DPWH-Iloilo City.
All seven projects, including the redevelopment of the Mandurriao Public Market and construction of six multi-purpose buildings, were facilitated by Baronda.
This is the latest development after the mayor declared last March that Baronda’s congressional seat will be taken by his daughter Raisa Treñas-Chu in the May 2025 elections.
The Iloilo City Council echoed the claims of Treñas that all seven projects were delayed.
But Baronda explained that some of these projects were big and funds were released by phases.
Baronda clarified that the funding for the projects were all handled by DPWH and did not even go through her congressional office.
Treñas said the Iloilo City government will shoulder the remaining works but will look for funds to finish the cancelled projects.
Several residents have voiced out that the mayor’s decision to cancel these projects based on politics are counterproductive and disadvantageous to the general public.
Baronda defended Engr. Roy Pacanan, the embattled officer-in-charge (OIC) of DPWH-Iloilo City.
Pacanan was declared as persona non-grata in a resolution by the Iloilo City Council on the request of Treñas.
Baronda said that under Pacanan, the DPWH-Iloilo City was able to address some problems, including the drainage system in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro District.
Last week, the DPWH-Iloilo City vacated their offices at Fort San Pedro after they were evicted by the the Treñas administration for using city government property.