Batangas town mayor faces complaints

An advocacy group has filed complaints at the Office of the Ombudsman against a local official of Mataasnakahoy town in Batangas province for allegedly mishandling and delayed infrastructure projects.

The People’s Coalition Against Crime and Corruption Group (PCACC) has filed the complaints against Mataasnakahoy town Mayor Janet Ilagan for alleged violation of Republic Act 3019 or the anti-graft and corrupt practices act, gross inexcusable negligence, grave misconduct and violation in government procurement reform act or R.A. 9184.

PCACC representative Antonio Alabata said that the town mayor has allegedly mishandled and unimplemented projects as of 31 December 2022 which was funded out of the 20 percent development fund with total appropriations of P22, 391,812.87.

He explained that they have found out that 11 projects totaling to P22,392,812.87 are not completed yet including four infrastructure projects like buildings and road repairs are ongoing implementation or delayed while the remaining seven projects were not implemented as of the year end.

The verification of the 20 percent development fund utilization report and quarterly report on government programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) as of 31 December 2022, has showed that the municipality was able to implement only 14 out of 25 PPA’s.

The Municipality CY 2022’s total appropriation for its 20 percent development fund is totaled P47,352,397.26.