Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez couldn’t hide his anger and disappointment after he saw the low-quality materials being used by National Housing Authority (NHA) developers in their projects for the earthquake victims on September 24.
Mayor Gomez went to the actual site of the project at Barangay Gaas and started to reprimand the NHA developers after he saw that the hollow blocks and other materials being used in building houses can easily be damaged.
Gomez was worried that the houses being built by NHA using cheap materials could put its settlers in danger.
To prove that the materials are low quality, Gomez tried to crush one of the hollow blocks pieces using his feet.
Gomez also checked the remaining materials that still not being used in the housing project, saying that the color of the blocks indicates that its cheap quality and can be easily crushed.
“Sa color palang makikita mo na,” Gomez said.
Gomez told the contractors that they’re doing bad practice by using cheap materials in housing made for the people of Ormoc City.
“Masama yung ginagawa niyo, wag kayong magagalit talagang trabaho namin to. Dapat namin pansinin kung ano ang dapat pansinin.” Gomez said.
Gomez also questioned the NHA why they allowed the supplier of the said low-quality construction materials to become the partner of their housing project.
“Tapos yung mga ganoong supplier, dapat hindi niyo na pinapayagan, tama naman siguro yung binabayad niyo para sa project diba?” Gomez told the NHA officials.
“Kung tama bakit ganito? Unless kayo gusto niyo yung binibigyan niyo kaya kailangan ganito kamura yung ginagamit niyong (materials),” Gomez added.
The Mayor also suspected that the contractors are trying to save money to corrupt the government funds.
“Sinasabi ko lang, alam naman namin ang mga paraan niyo diyan eh, imposible namang hindi tumatanggap itong mga ito (ng suhol) wag na tayong maglokohan,” Gomez stated.
According to Gomez, he’s only prioritizing the people who would live in the said housing project.
“Basta ang pakialam ko, is to give the people yung tamang gamit na para sa kanila at hindi sila magrereklamo kapag dito na sila nakatira,” he said.
Meanwhile, netizens praised Gomez for doing his job and for not tolerating corrupt practices in his City.
“Good job Mayor Richard Gomez.. STOP CORRUPTION. Give what belongs to the beneficiary of that housing project. They all deserve it.” Julius Penserga said.
“Yan ang Spirit.. Sige mayor.. Pati narin sana yung pabaya sa road namin,” Jessica Baclig remarked.
One of the videos, which uploaded by Gomez’ staff Kimmy Alvarez Urboda also already reached millions of views on Facebook.