Treñas unfazed over housing charges

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas is not bothered by the charges that would soon be filed to the Sandiganbayan against him and the rest of the city government officials whose names were included in the charge sheet of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

Treñas is confident to endure the issues.

“My conscience is clear. I affixed my signature based on the reports submitted to me,” Treñas told newsmen in an interview. “I have yet to receive a copy of the complaint,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Iloilo City Government is exercising prudence and caution in dealing with the sensitive socialized housing project issue, especially the part that deals with paying controversial contractor Ace Builders and Enterprise (ABE).

Treñas said that the city will have to secure the opinion of the Commission on Audit (COA) first to determine if the city government can pay the amount being collected by ABE for the deteriorating housing project in Pavia.

Based on records, ABE is asking City Hall to pay the fourth progress billing amounting to P4,270,510.

“Things have to be verified by the COA first. We are willing to pay provided it is approved by the agency. The billing has to be submitted to COA,” he said.

Treñas has earlier ordered the suspension of payment on ABE's 4 th progress billing after reports on its use of substandard materials broke out. The non-payment prompted the ABE to suspend work on the project and he subsequently created a task force to study and make recommendations on how to save the project. The task force later recommended a renegotiation with the contractor.

The P125-million housing project, which aims to construct 413 housing units for City Hall employees, sits on a five-hectare lot in Pavia town which the city government owns. (Adora B. Bandorio/PIO)