A number of netizens expressed their dismay against some officials of the Quezon City government for supposedly making it appear that the electrification project in Barangay Pansol is free.
In a Facebook post, the Quezon City government said that Mayor Joy Belmonte attended the inauguration of the Pailaw project in Kaingin II along with Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, Councilors Franz Pumaren, Kate Coseteng, Wency Lagumbay, former councilor Don De Leon, Mr. Chuckie Antonio, and Mr. Robert Pacheco.
“Aabot sa 600 pamilya sa Barangay Pansol ang nabigyan na ng permanente at pangmatagalang access ng kuryente, sa pamamagitan ng Pailaw Project ni QC Council Majority Floor Leader Konsehal Franz Pumaren,” the post dated November 10 read.
It said that the city government, with the help of Barangay Pansol led by Kap. Jojo Mahusay provided the circuit breakers to the beneficiaries.
“Ang lokal na pamahalaan, sa tulong ng opisina ni Coun. Pumaren, na ang nag-asikaso ng mga application at requirements ng mga residente sa pagnanais na mabigyan ng access sa kuryente ang bawat tahanan sa Quezon City,” the post further read.
But netizens, who appeared to be residents in the area, hit the perception and insinuation that they did not spend any for the project.
One Jesus Rosales said that he spend P18,000 because of this project.
“PAILAW PROJECT? Dati na kaming may ilaw, dahil sa project na ito nagastusan kami ng mababa sa 18 K bawat isang kuntador. Mga EPAL kayong pulitiko, kung makaposing kayo para sa photo-ops nyo WAGAS! Hindi po nakagaan sa aming dati ng may kuntador ang project nyo, NAGKAGASTOS LANG KAMI! HINDI PO LIBRE ANG APLIKASYON NAMIN sa MERALCO pati paglalakad ng mga papeles lahat may BAYAD!” Rosales said.
The Quezon City government replied but did not directly answer the allegations. It said that the project started in 2015 and Meralco was asking for a P32 million payment that will be shouldered by the residents.
It said that it was Councilor Pumaren who negotiated with Meralco to lower the cost that eventually went down to P3.1 million.
The city government also said that it was Pumaren who shouldered the H Frame for Kaingin 1 and 2 while the local government provided the panel board-circuit breaker box.
Meanwhile, Mavel Dagayluan posted: “ anung libre ,laki nagastos namin jan , sa kuryente sasabihin nyo sa inyo (smiley icons) balik nyo nalang pera namin ,para libre talaga.” The city government posted the response it sent to Jesus Rosales.
Ryan Barraca Nava said: “Mag eeleksyon na kc.hahaha gastos ko almost 15k tapos pailaw nio pala yan ngayon ko lang nalaman. (icon)”.
Lyn Cabantoc gave the same sentiment. “D naman po lebre ang pa ilaw gumastos din po kami..at gagastos pa ulit para sa wire..may bayad po ang pag apply ng pa ilaw na yan..just saying lang po.”
And also Joelyn Figueras: “Sa pagkakaalam ko 15 k nagastos nmn sa wire plang wala p yung butaw anyaree po paanong libre??”
While Jenny Dacula Peñamora even itemized her expenses. “12k wire, 4k PUSP
5k Palakad meralco, 1k Breaker, Totally 22k ginastos ko tapos project pala nila yan?? Ay wow… (icon).”
