FIRST District Congressman Celso Lobregat said a problem in strict monitoring might have caused the three-year delay in the implementation of the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Rehabilitation (Z3R) projects in this city.
Lobregat issued the statement amidst the controversies on the long-delayed rehabilitation project completion in the villages that were affected in the 21-day September 2013 siege.
The Z3R is a rehabilitation plan intended to build back a better Zamboanga following the massive destruction wrought by the 2013 siege.
The siege started on September 9, 2013 when hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members loyal to MNLF Chairman Nurulaji Misuari infiltrated and laid siege in four coastal villages of Zamboanga City.
Lobregat said it is the Local Inter-Agency Committee (Liac) that monitors everything and to ensure the projects follow specifications and are properly implemented although it is the National Government agencies like the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), National Housing Authority (NHA), Local Water Utilities and Administration (LWUA) among others that were tasked, respectively, to implement the infrastructures needed for the rehabilitation of the siege-affected areas.
He said they should know better since the Liac is composed of all agencies in government involved in the Z3R projects.
“If there are failures along the way, then it is their fault because they are tasked to monitor the projects,” Lobregat added.
He said there is no reason for a gap or non-coordination for the implementation of all the Z3R projects since the line agencies concerned composed the Liac.
The Liac should be meeting very often to scrutinize every detail in the progress of reconstruction.
“If they need to call a meeting everyday then do so,” Lobregat added.
Every detail of the progress of Z3R projects is very vital because it involves the basic needs of the affected residents, and for the government to ensure that when they go back to their permanent shelters, they are in comfort and back to their normal lives as well.
The Liac was supposed to come up with substantial recommendations to the local chief executive and the national agencies concerned to come up with the necessary recommendations on the issues of Z3R and take essential and immediate actions on it.
“We are saying Build Back Better, how can you Build Back Better when you are turning over houses with no water and electricity,” Lobregat said.
He said he is open to the idea of conducting a congressional inquiry on the status of Z3R projects, but in the meantime, he strongly recommends the local government to look into the matter fervently first before it reaches the national level.
Since the problem on the Z3R still persist, it would be best for the local government to keep a serious track on this issue, as every delay in the implementation of such projects also hampers the privilege of every victim of the Zamboanga siege be given an opportunity to go back and live peacefully in their respective permanent home. (Bong Garcia/Sunnex)