By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
Department of Public Works and Highways–Iloilo City District Engineering Office (DPWH-ICDEO) Engr. Roy Pacanan has branded Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas a “power monger,” dismissing recent accusations as political propaganda meant to destroy his reputation.
“In his desperation to tarnish my name, he has even stooped down to personal attacks, an act unbecoming of a public official,” Pacanan said in response to a March memorandum from Treñas.
In a copy of the reply obtained by Daily Guardian, Pacanan stressed that despite persistent claims of delays and poor coordination, his office has submitted evidence disproving the mayor’s allegations.
“Unfortunately for the mayor, we have evidence to contradict each and every allegation he has thrown against our office,” he said.
Pacanan and Treñas have been at odds over delays in infrastructure projects managed by ICDEO.
Pacanan insists the delays are largely due to building permit issues involving the Office of the Building Official (OBO).
Initially, seven projects were flagged, with two more added in February 2025, including multi-purpose buildings and evacuation centers across Iloilo City.
Pacanan described the accusations as “baseless and frivolous,” saying they have already been addressed in prior memoranda.
He said ICDEO has been unfairly targeted through social media attacks, which he called “dirty politics initiated by a power monger.”
He added that the mayor’s concerns had already been answered in detail, citing memoranda issued on July 2, 2024; August 8, 2024; March 4, 2025; and March 17, 2025.
“Considering that we have already addressed these issues in a number of memoranda, we deemed our previous responses sufficient in form and substance,” he said.
“It would seem that no matter the explanation propounded by ICDEO, it will fall on deaf ears.”
Pacanan said Treñas was using a political strategy of repetition to create a false perception of wrongdoing.
“We hope that the good mayor does not adhere to the doctrine of propagandists that ‘repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth,’” he added.
BUDGET ISSUES
Pacanan said he was puzzled by the city mayor’s inquiry into ICDEO’s budget, denying claims that the office’s allocation under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) was a lump-sum appropriation.
“It is important to highlight that the DPWH is only the implementing body responsible for carrying out the projects, but it is not the entity that determines the budget within the 2025 GAA,” he said.
He cited the 2013 Belgica v. Ochoa Supreme Court ruling to distinguish between lump-sum and itemized appropriations.
Pacanan also pointed out that the city government attached the 2025 GAA to its inquiry, contradicting its claim of lacking transparency.
“Given the mayor’s more than 30 years of experience in Congress and local government, he should know better,” Pacanan said.
DOUBLE STANDARDS?
Pacanan further alleged inconsistencies in the city government’s actions, saying DPWH projects implemented between 2012 and 2018—including the USWAG Multi-Purpose Buildings—lacked building permits when Treñas was a congressman.
He noted that current OBO chief Engr. Mavi J. Gustilo served as officer-in-charge of OBO’s Construction Section during that time.
“It’s ironic why they are so obsessed with permits now, when they failed to obtain the necessary permits while in office,” Pacanan said.
“This is a clear case of double standard.”
He also criticized Treñas for failing to respond to ICDEO’s March 5 and March 17 memoranda on the non-completion of 190 city government-implemented projects.
These projects include the Arevalo, La Paz and Jaro Big Markets, and the Iloilo City Hospital.
“The delay in completion has not only deprived Iloilo City residents of much-needed services, but has also burdened them with increased local taxes,” he said.
