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The
Bohol Irrigation Project Stage-2 (BHIP-2) may have to shutdown
its operations if funds for its completion are not released
soon by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
BHIP-2
project manager Engr. Modesto Membreve bared in an interview
with the Chronicle that funds for the project are running
low since the DBM withheld further funding this year after
the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) questioned
the project's P1.2 billion cost over-run.
According
to Membreve, he had to layoff BHIP-2 employees since June
due to budgetary constraints.
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Many
of those laid-off since June were plantilla positions,
Membreve disclosed.
Before
the month ends, Membreve said he fears they will have
to totally close down their offices in Calanggaman,
Ubay as funds for administrative expenses, such as salaries
for personnel, have already been depleted.
Payroll
for BHIP-2 employees alone, according to Membreve, is
close to P1-million per month.
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Presently,
the Department of Justice (DOJ) is reviewing the legal issues
being raised by the NEDA against the project.
COST
OVER-RUN
It
may be recalled that NIA sought the opinion of the Office
of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) after former Socio-economic
Planning Sec. Romulo Neri blocked further fund releases for
the completion of the irrigation project while questioning
its cost over-runs.
Neri,
who also chairs the National Economic Development Authority
(NEDA) Investment Coordination Committee, has also sought
the opinion of the Department of Justice regarding the irrigation
project.
According
to Neri the BHIP-2 is grossly disadvantageous to the government
since it incurs over P1.2 billion of additional costs beyond
its approved budget for contract which is P2.4 billion.
Neri
called the BHIP-2 as the "most expensive irrigation project"
in the country.
'NOT
LUXURY CARS'
Membreve
denied allegations that NIA bought "luxury vehicles"
to be provided for top provincial officials.
The
BHIP-2 manager admitted NIA acquired seven vehicles last year,
two of which were given to Gov. Erico Aumentado and Rep. Roberto
Cajes of the 2nd District.
Aumentado
got an Isuzu D-Max while Cajes was allotted an Isuzu Crosswind.
The
purchase of said vehicles were made with the approval of no
less than Pres. Gloria Arroyo, according to Membreve.
Both
officials, he explained are involved in the supervision of
the irrigation project, considered to be one of the country's
biggest. The BHIP-2 aims to irrigate some 5,000 hectares of
rice fields in the towns of Ubay, Trinidad and San Miguel.
The
purchase of the seven vehicles incurred P15-million, Membreve
said.
WHISTLEBLOWER
IMPUGNED
According
to Membreve, former NIA project manager Engr. Petronilo Sarigumba
should be investigated instead regarding his involvement in
the ongoing construction of the Small Reservoir Impounding
Project in Talibon town.
Membreve
said, Sarigumba acquired a new utility vehicle as a "gift"
from one of the contractors of the controversial Talibon Dam.
Sarigumba
is allegedly working for the said contractor as one of its
project engineers, despite a case he has filed now pending
at the Ombudsman against the Talibon irrigation project.
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