CinemaBravo

The solar street lights project facilitated by Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda in two barangays in Mandurriao costs a staggering ₱1.3 million per post.

The amount is based on the total project cost listed on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) website for 30 posts installed from Barangay Hibao-an Sur to Barangay Hibao-an Norte.

According to the DPWH website, the projects were awarded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO) to St. Gerard Construction, owned by the controversial couple Curlee and Sara Discaya.

Barangay Captains Ariel Mirar (Hibao-an Norte) and Rodlen Gallenero (Hibao-an Sur) confirmed that representatives from ICDEO only visited their barangays to introduce themselves.

However, no public consultation was conducted, and no project details were provided to the local communities.

In a radio interview, Baronda said the project will still push through, but will be slightly delayed.

Earlier, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) reported that Baronda received more than P5 billion in allocables and non-allocables over the past three years.

In addition, multiple media reports state that Baronda received P1.75 billion worth of flood control projects during the time of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez as House Speaker.

Baronda reportedly received P945,985,191.41 in flood control allocations in 2025, dwarfing the previous amounts of P737.3 million and P71.1 million she received in 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Based on records, Baronda’s three projects worth P425 million were listed under St. Timothy Construction Corp., and one project worth P150 million was awarded to Alpha & Omega General Contractor & Development Corp.

Recently, an unfinished 600-meter flood mitigation structure worth P400 million was discovered in Bo. Obrero, Lapuz. It was funded through the congressional district office and implemented by the DPWH–Iloilo City District Engineering Office.

During his recent visit to Iloilo City, President Marcos criticized the delays and poor implementation of flood control projects after inspecting two flood mitigation structures in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro district.

“Sa aking pagbisita sa Iloilo, nakita natin ang mga delayed at palpak na flood control projects na lalo pang nagpapalala ng pagbaha,” Marcos said in a Facebook post.