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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DPWH orders sweeping audit of 2016 Cebu flood control projects

DPWH orders sweeping audit of 2016 Cebu flood control projects

Published Nov 8, 2025 01:29 pm

At A Glance

  • DPWH launches sweeping audit of Cebu flood control projects implemented in 2016.
  • Investigation to uncover wrong planning, poor execution, and possible misuse of funds.
  • Cebu received over P26 billion in flood control funds, yet many projects since 2019 were non-existent or substandard.
  • Typhoon Tino's heavy rains caused widespread flooding in Cebu, Mandaue, Danao, Talisay, and nearby towns.
  • DENR probes Monterrazas de Cebu Project for its possible role in worsening floods.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince B. Dizon (Photo: DPWH)
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince B. Dizon (Photo: DPWH)
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has launched a sweeping audit of Cebu flood control projects implemented in 2016 to ensure accountability and address lapses exposed by recent severe flooding.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the investigation, to be conducted with the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI), aims to identify “wrong planning and wrong execution” and possible misuse of funds.
“Iniimbestigahan na ho natin kasama ng ICI ang mga proyekto na ginawa d’yan simula 2016 hanggang 2024-2025 (We are now investigating, together with the ICI, the projects implemented there from 2016 to 2024-2025),” Dizon said in a DZMM interview, emphasizing that poor planning and execution caused flood control systems to fail.
He added that the government will no longer tolerate complacency in public infrastructure.
“Kapag pinaplano itong mga flood mitigation projects, kailangan kino-consider ‘yan hindi lang ‘yung normal na pag-ulan at pagbaha kundi pati ‘yung grabeng pag-ulan at grabeng mga bagyo (When planning these flood mitigation projects, they must consider not only normal rainfall and flooding but also extreme rainfall and severe storms),” Dizon said.
He also noted that some projects were “pinagkakitaan.” (monetized for profit.)
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro earlier revealed that the province received over P26 billion in flood control funds.
She added that most projects since 2019 were either “non-existent” or “substandard,” with some contractors using other firms’ licenses to undertake public works.
Data from the Cebu provincial government showed that from 2016 to 2022, there were 343 flood control projects.
Meanwhile, only 168 projects were recorded between 2023 and 2025, highlighting systemic weaknesses in infrastructure that put lives at risk, Baricuatro said.
The floods, triggered by typhoon “Tino's” extreme rainfall, inundated neighborhoods, highways, and rivers across Cebu, Mandaue, Danao, Talisay, and the towns of Liloan, Compostela, and Consolacion, with PAGASA reporting rainfall levels expected only once in two decades.
Amid public outrage, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) launched a separate probe into the Monterrazas de Cebu Project, a high-end mountainside development accused of worsening flooding in Cebu City.
The DENR’s Joint Inspection, Investigation, and Assessment Team began its on-site probe on Nov. 7.
The team is reviewing the development’s drainage system, slope stability, runoff management, and possible obstruction of waterways.
“If the investigation finds any violation of ECC conditions or environmental regulations, the DENR will not hesitate to enforce corrective actions, including suspension, penalties, or other legal remedies as provided by law,” the department said.
Both DPWH and DENR vowed full transparency, with Dizon saying the tragedy should serve as a “turning point” to ensure public projects genuinely protect lives and communities, not just exist on paper.

Related Tags

DPWH Cebu floods flood control projects Typhoon Tino Monterrazas de Cebu Project
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