A P290-MILLION housing project in Concepcion, Iloilo for survivors of supertyphoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) in 2013 will be investigated by the town council next week following complaints from beneficiaries and accusations that councilors have been bribed to keep silent on the issue. Sangguniang Bayan member Mark Ruffin C. Villaruz said the committee on housing and infrastructure will invite representatives of the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the project contractor, Hercar Construction Corp., to a hearing to discuss the alleged substandard housing project.

The construction, which started in 2014, has yet to be completed. “These lies and misinformation are unjust and are nothing but lies. I know I have not received any payment from this contractor. And I stand with this body, that we are innocent of this propaganda,” Mr. Villaruz said.

Since July 2017, the local government has been receiving complaints on the uncompleted housing project intended for 1,000 beneficiaries. In a letter of complaint sent to President Rodrigo R. Duterte in 2017, one Rhett Zerrudo cited substandard doors and windows, poor drainage system, wobbly partition walls, and cracked concrete roads. Mr. Zerrudo also said the contractor also failed to provide a source of potable water. In a radio interview, NHA-Western Visayas regional project manager Luz Ysatam said they will conduct a dialogue with the complainants and the contractor on March 24. — Louine Hope U. Conserva

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