By Edalyn Acta & Nycel Jane Dela
Governor Fredenil “Oto” Castro linked Uswag Iloggo Party-list Congressman James “Jojo” Ang Jr. to the substandard flood control project in the Municipality of Cuartero.
Castro told The Capiz Times in an exclusive interview that Ang was one of the subcontractors of the Angub River Control Project, wherein 150 meters of the 500-meter infrastructure collapsed.
Ang has recently been included in the list by the Discaya couple as one of those who are allegedly part of kickback schemes for flood control projects.
Castro vehemently denied he had anything to do with the Angub River Control Project even though he was congressman of Capiz 2nd District in 2019.
The Department of Public Works and Highways–2nd District Engineering Office (DPWH-2nd DEO) earlier confirmed it implemented the Angub River Control Project worth P94 million.
While Castro claimed that the budget was merely an insertion, he reiterated Ang’s involvement in the substandard Angub River Control Project.
Citing conversations with contractor Gin Arabia, Castro said the project’s initial winning bidder was Monolithic Construction based in Davao City.
For unknown reasons, Monolithic Construction did not continue and International Builders Corp. (IBC) based in Iloilo City took over.
During the time the project was implemented in 2019, Ang was not yet a party-list congressman. Ang was working for IBC, which is owned his relatives.
After taking over Monolithic Construction, the IBC was not able to finish the project. This led to another subcontractor Megagold Construction owned by Jameson Tan.
The governor said those who are part of substandard flood control project should be held accountable and should fix the project themselves.
The governor also sternly warned the consequences contractors and the DPWH will face for their mistakes.
