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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Bonoan tells House: Rock-netting for flood, slope protection began during Duterte administration

Bonoan tells House: Rock-netting for flood, slope protection began during Duterte administration

Published Sep 2, 2025 11:27 pm

At A Glance

  • The practice of rock-netting for flood and slope protection--which President Marcos apparently dislikes--started during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte (left), former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan (PPAB)
Former president Rodrigo Duterte (left), former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan (PPAB)


The practice of rock-netting for flood and slope protection--which President Marcos apparently dislikes--started during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Members of the House Infrastructure Committee (infra comm)--which is holding an inquiry on the flood control projects controversy--learned this from former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan on Tuesday, Sept. 2
During Tuesday's joint panel hearing, Deputy Speaker Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin called Bonoan’s attention to video footages of President Marcos' recent inspection of a flood and slope protection structure in Benguet, which has apparently failed.
Garin said the President was visibly angry when he found out that rock-netting, which he has ordered stopped, was still being used for flood control and slope protection projects.
“Very clear kasi ‘yung paulit-ulit na statement (niya). Hininto na ito. Bakit binalik? (He kept repeating a statement which was very clear. This had been stopped. Why was it brought back?) Can you give us a quick summary of how that happened? When did it start? When was it suspended? Kailan siya binalik? (When was it brought back?)” Garin asked Bonoan, who resigned as DPWH chief over the weekend.
“Your honor, I can only at this point in time say when we stopped after the implementation of rock netting, I issued a department order to stop the use of rock netting unless it is technically justified and technically evaluated by the central office,” Bonoan answered.
“That was, I'm not mistaken, this was in late 2023, your honor. The President instructed me to stop the use of rock-netting,” he said.
“You stopped it in 2023. Kailan po siya nagsimula? (When did it begin?)” Garin asked.
“Deputy Speaker, I think during the past administration, your honor...I think this was started during the past administration, your honor," he answered.
Rock-netting involves the use of high-strength mess nets to prevent rockfalls and soil erosion
Garin asked the DPWH to submit a report of the amount of money spent on rock-netting as well as the location and status of projects where it was used.
Video footages shown by Senator Panfilo Lacson in his privilege speeches on failed flood control projects in Bulacan showed that rock-netting was still being employed.
It could be seen in one footage that wire-mesh containers filled with rocks were supporting steel sheet piles that collapsed due to strong floodwater current.
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