Bonoan SALN raises question
DURING yesterday’s deliberation on the ad interim appointment of Manuel Bonoa n as Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Senator Imee Marcos questioned the P32 million receivables reflected in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) dated June 30, 2022.
Bonoan explained that most parts of the amount were unpaid pensions for retirement from private practice in San Miguel Corporation while the other was from private business.
Marcos put the issue at rest as she expressed belief in the fitness of the nominee for the post.
“While some have troubles with unexplained wealth, in the case of Sec. Bonoan, we joke in Ilocos Norte that he has unexplained poverty, I think that he is fit for the job in more ways than one, highly qualified,” Marcos said.
Senator Francis Tolentino, for his part, expressed confidence that Bonoan will be a good secretary for the DPWH citing the fact that he started his career at the DPWH as a civil engineer aid in 1966 and has worked his way up to becoming a senior undersecretary in 2010.
“I would like to express and convey my full support to the confirmation of Sec. Manuel Bonoan as secretary of DPWH. I believe that he will be a good DPWH secretary,” Tolentino said.
Senator Cynthia Villar urged Bonoan to look into the right-of-way problems hounding government infrastructure projects once his appointment as DPWH secretary is confirmed.
Villar pointed out that right-of-way issues had constantly delayed the completion of some government infrastructure projects, citing the case of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) as an example.
“Maybe you should look into it so that we can implement the CALAX because its completion had been delayed. I hope the DPWH would realize that if you don’t interfere in the right of way problem. Then our infrastructure problems would be delayed,” Villar said.
Senator Joseph Victor JV Ejercito called on Bonoan to prioritize high-impact projects to stimulate economic growth citing the flooding in a barangay in San Juan which could have been prevented by the rehabilitation of the drainage system, and construction of flood control, among others.
“I hope that with your leadership, with your integrity, this would not happen again. And I know you can do it.,” Ejercito said.
