Residents, officials decry irregularities: Baguio City council probes infra projects

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The city council is set to probe irregularities in implementation of projects in this resort city following mounting complaints raised by residents.

           

Representatives from the city planning and development office, city building and architecture office, city engineer’s office, Dept. of Public Works and Highways, contractors groups and punong barangays were invited to the city council session on Sept. 3 to answer issues and concerns on the projects. 

           

Councilor Joel Alangsab said there is need to shed light on the process of implementing projects in view of complaints from the barangay officials and residents that some of the procedures are not being followed by the implementing agencies and contractors.

Alangsab said among these are the lack of consultation and coordination with the locals and failure to follow the plans and specifications for the projects.

“There are some instances when this initial step (of consultation) prior to the commencement of construction activities are at times not followed, which creates a conflict and misunderstanding between the barangay officials and the contractors that amounts to non-acceptance by the barangay officials after the completion of the project,” Alangsab noted.

He said there was a case in Honeymoon-Holyghost barangay where a waiting shed project was refused acceptance by the barangays due to lack of consultation while in Pinsao Pilot barangay, some contractors allegedly did not follow plans and specifications for a project.

           

Alangsab said the outcome of the consultation will assist the city council in coming up with needed policies to correct the problem and prevent similar incidents in the future.

           

These policies will ensure that the fund allotted for the projects will benefit the constituents and the project would serve its purpose.