Puerto Princesa City government has suffered financial losses due to project delays, countering the city’s assertion that no public funds are missing, former city councilor and vice mayoralty aspirant Atty. Jimbo Maristela claimed.
In a press conference on Thursday, March 20, Maristela pointed to stalled infrastructure projects, particularly the flood control system in Barangay San Pedro, which he said should have been completed years ago despite significant spending.
“Sa ₱120 million budget nila, ₱98 million na ang nagagastos, pero nasa 36% pa lamang sila,” he said, claiming that the city government now plans to allocate another ₱110 million for the same project.
The delay has resulted in financial setbacks for the city, as construction costs have significantly increased.
“Magkano na ang materyales ngayon? Ang semento, graba, at bakal? Kumpara noong 2020? Luging-lugi na po ang pamahalaang panglungsod ng Puerto Princesa niyan, hindi po ba?” he said.
“Ang COA ay isang constitutional body, hindi ito basta-basta lumalabas nang walang basehan. Kaya ‘yung pagsasabing ‘walang nawawalang pera,’ ay isang maling konteksto. Hindi man ito diretsong pera, pero ang delays, at overpricing ay isang malaking kawalan,” he added.
Maristela questioned why the projects remain unfinished despite funds being allocated.
“Bakit hindi matapos-tapos? Ang budget na inilaan dito, nasaan?” He stressed that inefficiencies in project implementation have cost the city more than just funds. “Hindi man ito diretsong pera na nawala, pero hindi ba’t ang tagal na nitong proyekto? Lugi po ang lungsod sa mga delay na ito.”
The city government directly undertook 26 infrastructure projects totaling ₱198.41 million as of December 31, 2023. These projects, implemented by administration, include the Puerto Princesa Sanitary Landfill Phase II amounting to ₱65.42 million and is 49.21% complete and the Opening and Gravelling of Langogan Road with ₱31.25 million, 92.80% complete.
COA flagged delays, noting that some projects remained unfinished for up to 900 days beyond their target completion dates. The audit also cited deficiencies in financial reporting and lack of proper documentation for project delays.
COA recommended that the City Engineering Office improve project monitoring and documentation to justify extensions and ensure proper financial reconciliation.
Maristela also refuted the claim that the 2023 audit findings were only recently revealed, explaining that COA follows a standard reporting process.
“Ang COA po ay may regular reporting na sinusunod. Hindi natin ito inilabas lang ngayon. Kaya hindi rin totoo na bigla-bigla lang natin inilabas ito,” he explained.
While denying that his statements were politically-motivated, Maristela said now is the right time to raise these concerns, as Mayor Lucilo Bayron, who was involved in the flagged projects, is seeking reelection.
“Ngayon po ang tamang panahon para sabihin sa inyo ang mga bagay na ito, kasi po ‘yung mga nasa posisyon ngayon, lalong-lalo na ‘yung ating kasalukuyang mayor, ay muling humaharap sa bayan,” he said.
He also emphasized that public interest should be prioritized over political narratives.
“Hindi ito laban ng pulitika, kundi laban para sa tama at nararapat sa mamamayan ng Puerto Princesa,” he concluded.
