WV mayors push full probe into nearly 300 flood projects

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

ILOILO — Nearly 300 flood control projects in Western Visayas are now under the microscope, as a coalition of local chief executives joined mounting calls for a full-scale investigation into the multimillion-peso infrastructure program flagged for possible irregularities.

Data from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website, an online reporting portal, showed at least 280 projects documented from 2022 to 2025 across the region, excluding Bacolod City and Negros Occidental which are now part of the Negros Island Region (NIR).

Iloilo

The province accounted for the bulk of flood control initiatives, with a little over 160 projects reported across both urban and rural areas.

Iloilo City has committed to support the probe, with Mayor Raisa Treñas stressing the importance of science-based assessments.
“If scientific studies demonstrate that the flood control projects in the city have exacerbated flooding, those projects should be appropriately dismantled,” Treñas said.

Aklan

Aklan followed with 57 projects, including initiatives in the capital town of Kalibo, where Mayor Juris Sucro — also an M4GG member — has committed to pushing for transparency and accountability in the rollout of public works.

The projects are in the towns of New Washington, Ibajay, Banga, Kalibo, Numancia, Malay, Balete, Malinao, Makato, Tangalan, Madalag, Libacao, Altavas, Buruanga, Batan, Nabas, and Lezo.

Antique

Antique logged 36 projects, spanning coastal and inland municipalities vulnerable to flashfloods and heavy rains.

The projects are in the towns of Sebaste, Bugasong, Sibalom, Barbaza, San Remigio, Patnongon, Hamtic, San Jose, Laua-an, Valderrama, Tibiao, and Culasi.

Capiz

Capiz recorded 23 projects, with Roxas City’s Mayor Ronnie Dadivas joining M4GG’s push for reforms.
“Our manifesto signing and support for reform does not only focus on the issue of flood control projects. This is for all issues that have a significant impact on the population,” Dadivas emphasized.

The projects are in Dao, Cuartero, Sigma, Panay, Dumalag, Mambusao, Jamindan, Pontevedra, Dumarao, Maayon, Panit-an, and Roxas City.

Guimaras

Guimaras posted the fewest at eight projects, but local leaders insisted that transparency should apply across the board, regardless of scale. These are the following

* Along Tipo River, Buenavista, Marinduque (P96,495,777.91)

* Flood Mitigation Facility, Barangay Rizal, Jordan (P48,997,205.76)

* Barangay Igdarapdap, Nueva Valencia (P57,610,530.48)

* Barangay Canhawan, Nueva Valencia (P57,899,915.92)

* Cabalagnan River, Barangay Cabalagnan, Nueva Valencia (P57,895,645.35)

* Control Dike with Esplanade (Phase III), Barangay Poblacion, Jordan (P72,374,214.10)

* Jordan River, Barangay Rizal, Jordan (P48,921,423.56)

* Baragnay Cabalagnan, Nueva Valencia (P57,868,773.82)

The Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) alliance in Western Visayas — composed of Alimodian mayor Ian Kenneth Alfeche, Kalibo mayor Juris Sucro, Barotac Viejo mayor Bongbong Tupas, Sara mayor Jon Aying, and Roxas City mayor Ronnie Dadivas — has vowed to uphold transparency and accountability in all public works.

The “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website was launched after President Marcos’ fourth State of the Nation Address, where he raised concerns over possible anomalies in flood control spending and encouraged the public to report defective or questionable projects./PN

WV provincial breakdown of flood control locations

AKLAN

* Seawall at the Sites of Sampaguita Gardens, Barangay Poblacion, New Washington, Aklan (29,399,990.42)

* Ibajay River, Brgy. Rizal, Ibajay, Aklan (95,335,880.55)

* Barangay Polo, Ibajay, Aklan (128,763,568.98)

* Ibajay River, Ibajay, Aklan (Package 3) (121,348,746.07)

* Brgy. Tambak, New Washington, Aklan (29,399,995.16)

* Construction of Revetment Wall along Aklan River, Barangay Badiangan, Banga, Aklan (28,949,980.16)

* Aklan River, Brgy. Mobo, Kalibo, Aklan (28,949,995.94)

* Brgy. Albasan, Numancia, Aklan (48,999,994.12)

* Construction of Revetment Wall along Aklan River, Brgy. Palale, Banga, Aklan (28,949,793.71)

* Construction of Malay CIS Bank Protection, Malay, Aklan (19,917,934.53)