DPWH, ICI target January 2026 Ombudsman filing over Cebu flood control fiasco
By Trixee Rosel
At A Glance
- DPWH and ICI will file cases with the Ombudsman by January 2026 over Cebu flood control projects.
- Typhoon Tino's severe flooding prompted inspections of projects suspected to have worsened the disaster.
- Inspection sites included Mandaue City, Compostela, Liloan, Cebu City, and Talisay City.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon (MB File)
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) are set to submit cases to the Office of the Ombudsman by January 2026 over Cebu flood control projects blamed for the severe flooding during Typhoon Tino.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed the timeline during a press briefing in Manila.
“Sa January, I think magiging ready na ang ICI at DPWH doon sa report ng mga gagawin nating pananagot sa Cebu dahil doon sa mga nakita nating problema sa flood control projects sa Cebu (In January, I think the ICI and DPWH will be ready with the report on the actions we will take to hold accountable those responsible in Cebu due to the problems we identified in the flood control projects,)” Dizon said.
He added that referrals to the Office of the Ombudsman are expected to be submitted by then.
Following Typhoon Tino’s devastation, the ICI, in coordination with the DPWH, inspected several flood control projects flagged as possible contributors to the flooding.
Some of the inspected projects were implemented by contractors belonging to the top 15 earlier identified by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who ordered a comprehensive review of flood control works in Cebu.
Inspection sites included Barangay Tabok and Barangay Alang-alang in Mandaue City along the Butuanon River, as well as Barangay Tamiao and Purok Gemelina in the Municipality of Compostela and Barangay Cotcot in the Municipality of Liloan.
Other locations covered Salinas Drive in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, and the Mananga Bridge and Dumlog Bridge in Talisay City.
The inspections, led by ICI special adviser Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., were part of Marcos’ push to ensure accountability in Cebu flood control projects.