Gov. Roel Degamo yesterday criticized the National Irrigation Administration for failure to coordinate with local government units in the implementation of a P400 million irrigation project in a town in Negros Oriental.

 

Degamo aired his sentiments against NIA during the Negros Island Regional Development Council meeting held in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.

During the meeting, the NIA presented its proposed budget of P1.3 billion for 2018, which was among those approved later by the RDC.

But Degamo questioned the failure of NIA to coordinate with the local government of Pamplona in Negros Oriental, with regards a P400 million irrigation project in 2007 that has not been implemented yet.

“Since it did not pass through us, we returned it,” he said, stressing that it must go through a process.

Since the project has not been used, Degamo considers it a “white elephant” project.

“We have been bypassed, and we will not tolerate it,” he stressed.

Degamo said he is willing to meet with the NIA regional director. But if he doesn’t, I will not, he added.*GPB