DAVAO CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways here on Tuesday denied Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon’s claim that several flood-control projects in this city are incomplete.
Ridon said that riverbank protection projects on the Talomo and Matina Rivers were unfinished. He presented photos as evidence. Davao City first district Rep. Paolo Duterte denied that these projects were incomplete.
Official records from the DPWH Davao City District Engineering Office and the DPWH Project and Contract Management Application Web indicated both projects as fully complete as of Oct. 31, 2025.
The construction of revetment on the Talomo River, Sta. 3+817 to Sta. 4+022, right bank (Contract ID 21LB0253), was implemented under the 2021 Regular Infrastructure Fund with a budget of P64.8 million.
The construction of revetment on Matina River, Matina Pangi Road Section, right bank (Contract ID 23LB0012), was implemented under the 2023 regular infrastructure fund with a budget of P94.5 million.
Both projects were built by Genesis88 Construction Inc. and supervised by the DPWH-11 office.
The Sumbong sa Pangulo website noted the two projects as complete.
A field inspection on Matina Pangi Road in Talomo District revealed that the flood-control revetments, including projects with Contract IDs 21LB0253 and 23LB0012, are fully complete and operational.
Photos taken during a field validation on Sept. 29, 2025, showed the revetments completed, clean, and properly maintained. The structures now protect against riverbank erosion and flooding in the densely populated Matina Pangi area.
Residents noticed improvements. “It used to flood here when it rained, but now, even during heavy rain, it doesn’t overflow,” said a resident near the Matina River.
DPWH-11 spokesperson Dean Ortiz assured that Davao City’s infrastructure projects, including bypass roads, bridges, and public buildings, are closely monitored by the department, especially those related to flood control.
The DPWH said that all project information is publicly accessible online through its transparency portal, with updates on project status, timelines, and budgets verified every month to ensure accuracy and reliability.
People here called Ridon’s “expose” misleading and urged him to validate his facts.
The lawmaker has not clarified the basis of his claims or addressed the discrepancy between his photos and official DPWH records as of posting time.