The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was prompted to explain after it drew criticisms on grabbing credit for the Iloilo River Esplanade project.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar posted on Friday, Sept. 3, a drone shot of the Esplanade 6, “an 850 meter riverside promenade spanning from Jalandoni Bridge to Forbes Bridge” in Iloilo City.
“Drone inspection of the Iloilo Esplanade. #BuildBuildBuild,” the top official wrote in the caption.
Several netizens called out Villar for allegedly credit-grabbing the project, which was started in 2012 during the Aquino administration.
The project, which was lobbied by Senator Franklin Drilon, has a total funding of 1.12 billion.
According to DPWH Build, Build, Build Committee chairman Anna Mae Lamentillo, the Esplanade 6 “was funded in both 2017 and 2018.”
She noted that only the Esplanade 1, Esplanade 1 Extension, and Esplanade 2 were constructed during the previous administration.
In a separate statement, Villar said: “Out of the ten esplanade projects along Iloilo River with a total funding of P1.12 Billion, 8 projects in the amount of 838 million were constructed from 2016 to 2021.
The Esplanades 3 to 10 have funding years ranging from 2016 to 2020, he added.
The Esplanade project has been a main tourist and fitness destination in Iloilo City. It was designed by renowned architect Paulo Alcazaren.IMT
