Anti-corruption group questions Iloilo City waiting shed price discrepancy
By Tara Yap
ILOILO CITY – Anti-corruption group Kahublagan Kontra Kurapsyon-Iloilo has questioned the price discrepancy of an alleged overpriced waiting shed project initially costing around P800,000.
“This incident underscores a larger problem: Corruption is not an isolated act – it is systemic and systematic. It is embedded in how projects are planned, bid out, approved, and implemented,” said KKK-Iloilo, a coalition of religious, civic, academic, and professional organizations.
The multi-sectoral group expressed alarm over the price discrepancy of the waiting shed in Barangay Katilingban in Molo District, one of the two alleged overpriced infrastructure projects of the Iloilo City government.
Project cost for the waiting shed was initially pegged at P800,000. But it dropped to only P538,653.37 when the City Engineer’s Office released documents last week.
“This drastic reduction of more than P200,000 raises serious questions about the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the original planning, estimation, and procurement processes,” KKK-Iloilo emphasized.
“What kind of planning and estimation allows for such a significant price drop after a reevaluation? Were there inflated costs in the initial budget – or deliberate efforts to profit from public funds?” KKK-Iloilo pointed out.
The KKK-Iloilo questioned the statement of the City Engineer’s Office that the remaining balance will be returned to the city treasury.
The waiting shed’s budget information was released after Mayor Raisa Treñas was criticized for her administration’s non-transparency and claim to be an advocate of good governance and an anti-corruption crusader.
KKK-Iloilo called on the city government for full disclosure of public documents pertaining to the project and full audit report.
It urged the city government to “review all ongoing and completed infrastructure projects to determine irregularities in implementation.
“We urge every Ilonggo to remain vigilant. Every peso wasted is a peso stolen from better schools, healthcare, and other essential public services,” the group said.