ROMBLOMANONS MOURN DEATH OF ENGR. MINANO !!!
RANK AND FILE RESIST TAKE-OVER OF CRUZ
By Gilbert Romero Minano
In the early morning of August 16, 2001, Engineer MELVIN SOLIDUM MINANO, Chief of the Dept. of Public Works and Highways, Province of Romblon, suffered Cardio-Pulmonary Arrest at the Distric Office, Odiongan, Romblon. He was brought to a nearby hospital for treatment but everything was to no avail.The doctor declared him dead, even before they could apply the needed medication to revive the good Engineer. He is 56 years old.District Engr. Melvin S. Minano rose from the ranks. He entered government service as a Junior Civil Engineer on September 1, 1969, more than 30 years ago. He inched his way as Sr. Civil Engineer on September in 1975 to Materials Testing Engineer in 1982, and then Supervising Engineer III in 1989 and Assistant District Engineer from 1994 to 1998. Finally on August 17, 1989, he was appointed District Enginner up to his last day of service, on August 17, 2001.Engineer Fernando Cruz, is the acting Ofiicer-in-charge (OIC) until a District Engineer is appointed. He is from Nueva Ecija. Prior to this assignment, Cruz was Assistant Engineer in Palawan and was transferred to Romblon allegedly due to his running dispute with the District Engineer there. During his sojourn as Assistant for Romblon, the rank and file are uncomfortable with his leadership and would prefer a Romblomanon who is more qualified to succeed minano, a source in the DPWH said. Highly recommended for the position by those on the know are Engineers Leonardo G. Quinton, former Assistant DE for Romblon and DE Delacio Bancorro, presently detailed with the regional office. These two deserving gentlemen are not implicated in any issue of corruption or irregularity nor they involved in moral turpitude. Eng. Cruz, they say, is perceived to be "too close" with the big time contractors.Days prior to his death, Engineer Melvin Minano was seen in good shape and high spirit, and his consultation with the doctor is regular. He was in fact scheduled to leave for the United States this month, for further medical treatment. Close aides disclosed however, that, "maybe, peer pressures and the dereliction of truant contractors caused his untimely death".Romblon Today(RT) was informed, "Engr. Minano is not akin to negative reports, when his men or assistant is linked to corruption, or, just as when they are involved in partisan politics and electioneering". But in the last remaining days, he has been in the receiving end absorbing the flak and criticism of the complaining citizenry, presumably because of these shenanigans in the DPWH District Office. Insiders says, he was all set to cleanse the ignoble reputation of the DPWH and rid his turf of grafts, unfortunately, time is short, hence, his faultless mission in vain.Time and again, the bad roads around Tablas is the principal headache of the District through these roads are under Maintenance by Contract or MBC scheme, such as the road connecting Odiongan to Looc. It appears that the Contractors and DPWH Engineers are just conniving for their own ends, rather than attend to the upkeep of the highways, disgruntled drivers and commuters, complained.In the past VELCO Construction, and now BARMAN, is paid nine million pesos (P9M) for the upkeep and maintenance of these roads. Unfortunately, the equipment and manpower of the DPWH are utilized, instead of the contractor's resources and men doing the work themselves for a source say, "they are busy collecting payments" in the region. The BARMAN Construction, which is responsible for MBC I, MBC II and MBC III all in Tablas, has also huge projects worth more than 30 million pesos in Cajidiocan, Romblon. BARMAN abandoned the work, half accomplished, two months ago, to start a new one at Magdiwang, Romblon."What is keeping these Construction firms so privileged and influential with the DPWH", a balking insider asked? Same informant disclosed, 'they only collect and corner juicy projects at will.' This is a pernicious practice in the district which continues to nag the late District Engineer, "even beyond his grave".Of late, transport operators and truck owners in Looc, Alcantara and the nearby municipalities, the usual victim of the sickening road conditions in this part of Tablas,have likewise announced their plan to activate their association to denounce MPWH Engineers who are in cahoots with insidious contractors. Due to gross neglect of MBC Contractors, Romblon Today learned that the cargo truck of Mr. Spark Libana fell beyond repair in the end road near Barangay Tuguis, Looc, Romblon last September 3, 2001. As District Engineer, Minano is very upset of the deficient performance of certain Contractors, allegedly under protection of regional DPWH officials and theiving Engineers. The multi-million widening projects contracted by ENRIQUEZ CONSTRUCTION at San Agustin and Calatrava, otherwise known as Saling-Sing Road, among them, is a "favored" project insulated from and beyond his control, Minano once said to RT.No less than five trucks have already fallen in the notorious Saling-Sing area during the construction period due to ENRIQUEZ CONSTRUCTIONS neglect and poor workmanship and maybe, many more to follow later, unless this firm will fully comply with the safety standards set forth in the specifications of the project.Allegedly, Assistant Engineer Fernando Cruz has tried but failed, to broker for the acceptance of the unfinished "Saling-Sing' Project worth more than (P30M). Engr. Minano according to reliable source, has flatly rejected his inadmissable proposition.Melvin has six brothers and sisters here and abroad, namly, Engr. Manuel "Toots" Minano, a US resident; Linda M. Villanueva, retired government employee staying in the US; Chita Minano, London, England; Colonel Don Conrado Minano, Jr with the PNP; Belda M. Macapagal, MCTC Assistant and Jean M. Barredo, Congressional Staff.