Iloilo flood works beneath Discaya companies riddled with discrepancies

Paperwork present at the very least seven ongoing initiatives in Iloilo tied to Discaya-owned companies, together with the development of a highway security facility and flood mitigation buildings

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Flood management and different infrastructure initiatives undertaken by building companies owned by the Discaya household in Iloilo Metropolis are riddled with gaps in documentation, conflicting contractor data, and lacking transparency boards.

A overview of paperwork from the Iloilo Metropolis District Engineering Workplace (ICDEO) exhibits at the very least seven ongoing initiatives tied to Discaya-owned companies. These embrace the development of a highway security facility, with the remaining consisting of flood mitigation buildings.

The companies embrace Alpha and Omega Common Contractor & Growth Company, St. Timothy Development Company, St. Gerrard Development and Growth Company, St. Matthew Common Contractor and Growth Company, and YPR Common Contractor and Development Provide Included.

St. Gerrard is listed in ICDEO’s report as implementing one challenge: a P39 million roadway lighting initiative alongside the Iloilo-Vintage and Mandurriao-San Miguel roads, which is 51% full. The contract was due for completion final August 22.

But in Barangay Mohon, Arevalo district, in entrance of the barangay corridor, Rappler discovered one other St. Gerrard challenge on the bottom: a P91 million flood mitigation construction.

Key particulars such because the contract ID, begin date, or completion date are missing.

No hint of this challenge seems in ICDEO’s 2022-2025 infrastructure stories or its 2024 procurement plan.

Rappler reviewed different paperwork secured by native officers, together with the challenge’s structure plan, however no additional particulars could possibly be discovered past the challenge title.

Mohon barangay chairman Francis Acap stated building started within the third week of January, this 12 months.

Acap and Oton Mayor Sofronio Fusin blamed the construction, which was constructed on the mouth of the Iloilo River, for the worsening flooding in Mohon and 7 barangays in Oton throughout tropical storms Crising, Dante and Emong in July.

Rappler despatched a message on Tuesday, September 2, to Fema Guadalupe, ICDEO administrative division head, to ask for remark however has not obtained a response.

Lower than 100 meters from St. Gerrard’s challenge, St. Matthew can be implementing Part 2 of the Waterways Rehabilitation and Coastal Safety challenge, value P119.42 million and funded beneath the 2025 Common Appopriations Act.

The challenge’s info board shows solely its length of 268 days, with no contract ID, timeline, begin date or completion date.

ICDEO data confirmed the challenge started final February 20, and is already 82.63% full. Its authentic November 12 deadline was prolonged to December 9, this 12 months.

A virtually similar challenge – Part 1 of the Waterways Rehabilitation and Coastal Safety – is being dealt with by St. Timothy.

Whereas the challenge’s precise location has not been specified, it has the identical begin date, funds and related timelines.

Not like St. Matthew’s challenge, nevertheless, St. Timothy’s work was suspended final June 9, because of website “obstructions.”

Conflicting identities

Discrepancies deepened in Barangay Mohon, the place particulars of a multi-million-peso flood mitigation buildings did not match ICDEO’s data.

The on-site transparency board exhibits “Development of Iloilo Metropolis Flood Mitigation Buildings – Complete Flood Mitigation Undertaking – Part 1” beneath contract ID 25GJ0053, carried out by YPR Common Contractor.

However ICDEO paperwork inform a distinct story. Contract ID 25GJ0053 is listed beneath Alpha and Omega Common Contractor & Growth Company, and corresponds to not Part 1 however to Part 2 of the identical challenge.

In line with ICDEO’s data, YPR ought to as a substitute be dealing with Part 1 beneath contract ID 25G30052, with an accredited funds of P143.3 million. Part 2, in the meantime, is valued at P144.7 million, positioned in Barangay Tacas within the Jaro district.

Each initiatives share the identical begin date of June 3, 2025, and completion date of March 24, 2026. Part 1 is 42% full, and Part 2 is 35%.

On Wednesday, September 3, Iloilo Metropolis Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu deplored the lack of transparency in ICDEO’s initiatives, declaring that key info resembling contract IDs, begin dates and goal completion dates haven’t been disclosed on transparency boards.

“The dearth of those particulars hinders the general public’s skill to confirm and monitor the progress of such vital initiatives,” she stated.

Treñas-Chu urged the Division of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to right away launch a full and clear report of all flood management initiatives within the metropolis, together with their precise areas, timelines, funds allocations and precise progress. – Rappler.com