Helpless

Hole of Justice

By Peter G. Jimenea

The flyover

Iloilo City has two flyovers constructed during the tenure of Mayor (now Cong.) Jerry Trenas. One in front of UPV-Iloilo and the other one between PNP Station 1 and the University of San Agustin (USA).

If one noticed, the foundation or supporting posts of these flyovers were made of pre fabricated materials. In short, these materials are cheaper and we expect a big savings of the government from these projects.

The one in UPV-Iloilo has a length of 250 meters but cost P420M. While the 300 meters flyover between the PNP Precinct 1 and the USA cost P330M. According to DPWH Regional Director 6, Rolando Asis, a one kilometer concrete road cost only P20M to P22M.

Therefore, the P750M spent for the two flyovers can construct a concrete road of thirty seven and a half (37.5) kilometers, a distance from the City of Iloilo to the Municipality of Miag-ao in the Southern part of Panay Island.

It is widely believed that no government project like flyovers can be constructed in places like the highly urbanized Iloilo City without prior approval from local chief executive. Knowing about standard operating procedure (SOP) in projects, the nod of the mayor is widely believed in exchange for - you know what!

Now look at the highly controversial flyover in Baguio General Hospital. It is 271 meters long with initial budget of P88M but it was only completed in 2008 after an additional P84.2M or for a total cost of P172.2M.

The added amount to finish the flyover earned a much publicized controversy. Baguio Cong. Mauricio Domogan jumped to the rescue by saying the added cost was due to the delay in the construction. The people, however, would not easily believe with this justification.

Had the Baguio congressman learned about the two flyovers in Iloilo City, he could have easily convince his constituents that there was no taint of corruption in their project flyover despite the delay in construction.

The 271 meters Baguio flyover is longer than our 250 meters flyover at the front of UPV Iloilo City, yet it cost only P172.2M. But our 250 meters long flyover at the front of UPV-Iloilo cost P420M or three times the price of Baguio flyover!

Funny indeed. The 300 meters flyover between the Police Precinct 1 and USA is longer by 50 meters than the one in UPV-Iloilo but cost only P330M. But the 250 m. in UPV-Iloilo cost P420M. Its true, whom the gods wish to destroy they make them first insane!

These corruption tainted projects of the government has made a lot of public officials outright-millionaires. Worse, after having tasted the simulated thrill of easy money, they began asking compensation for what they never lost!

The two flyovers constructed in the City of Iloilo during the tenure of now Cong. Trenas as mayor and the Pavia Housing Scam are the most despised projects this city ever had. But God knows, quails vita, finis ita –the way you live determines the way you die!