ILOILO CITY – Mayor Jerry Treñas here stepped up his attacks against the Department of Public Works and Highways-Iloilo City, days after being discharged from the hospital.
“We cannot work with people who do not respect the highest elected official of the city government,” Treñas said in a statement on Saturday, June 8.

MAYOR Jerry Treñas (Arnold Almacen/CMO)
He made several key announcements against the DPWH-Iloilo City which vacated its office in Fort San Pedro last week after it was issued an eviction notice as the city government claimed it owns the land donated by the national government.
Treñas announced that Engr. Roy Pacanan, the officer-in-charge (OIC) of DPWH-Iloilo City, will be declared a persona non-grata.
The mayor accused the DPWH-Iloilo City of having many “white elephant” projects which he claimed are being constructed without proper permits.
He cited the P400-million seawall project in Barangay Rizal Pala-Pala and Tanza which has a cease-and-desist order.
“I have cancelled all approvals of the city (government) on all DPWH projects on all government land – the Mandurriao Market, all multi-purpose buildings, and the like,” added Treñas in another statement.
These projects were reportedly facilitated by Iloilo City Rep. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda, Treñas’ former political ally. Treñas announced last March that Baronda will be replaced by his daughter, Raisa Treñas-Chu, as he has been pushing his daughter’s congressional candidacy.
In another post, Treñas hit the DPWH-Iloilo City for the improper maintenance of the water pumping station adjacent to the Iloilo River.
He said that the city government has been spending for the repair of the water pumping station to ensure the drainage system at the junction of Jalandoni and Gen. Luna Streets, a flooded area during rainy days, will work properly.