MikeLigalig.com

Written By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

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.
          
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.

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.

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I remember that our Governor Erico Aumentado, while he was still congressman of the third district, bought a nice car using people's money.
The purpose of buying the car, according to the voucher I read, was for monitoring Dam projects in Bohol especially the P200-million Talibon dam project, which until remains an illusion.

At the height of the dam corruption expose, the governor said he didn't know anything about the Talibon dam how it was handled.

But it was Aumentado who worked out for the release of the funding and he bought an expensive car to be used for project monitoring. And he is not aware of the real status of a ghost dam?

Tell it to the Marines.

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