By CESAR JOLITO III

Kabankalan City Mayor Benjie Miranda clarified that the ongoing rehabilitation of a drainage canal in Barangay Hilabangan is not a project of the city government but is being undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Miranda said residents have been raising concerns over the project, citing that only minimal dredging and initial works were done, but it was originally scheduled for completion by July 30.

Miranda also added that the city has no control over the construction since it is not under their jurisdiction.

“Ginaklaro ko nga wala ‘ko da kahilabtanan kag wala ‘ko kabalo nga may ara nada project,” he said.

Project records show that the P14.6-million initiative, officially titled “rehabilitation / major repair of drainage structure – rehabilitation of existing drainage canal, Hilabangan Irrigation Project,” is being implemented by the DPWH Negros Occidental 3rd Engineering Office.

Based on the signboard installed at the site, the project commenced on February 24, with Sant’yago Enterprises as the contractor.

It is funded under the 2025 General Appropriations Act and was originally scheduled for completion by July 30, 2025./CJ, WDJ