THE CITY is drowning, not from typhoons or storm surges, but from what residents and critics describe as the shortcomings of flood control “solutions” that were supposed to make it safer.
On the ground, communities face what President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. publicly flagged as palpak, delayed, and questionable structures — projects that residents say not only fail to protect them from floods but also disrupt livelihoods and, in some cases, put lives at risk.
After inspecting Iloilo sites, the President noted that some interventions may even be worsening flooding instead of solving it.
These local problems, critics warn, mirror a growing national scandal. A government audit revealed that flood control spending over the years has been riddled with substandard, undocumented, or nonexistent projects — with just 15 out of 2,000 contractors cornering 20% of the entire multi-billion budget for flood control. The findings have triggered calls for independent investigations and congressional hearings.
For Iloilo, the promise of protection has become, critics say, a cruel irony. What should have been lifelines of resilience have, according to observers, turned into symbols of inefficiency and excess — projects where contractors prosper while ordinary Ilonggos remain knee-deep in floodwaters during monsoons and typhoons.
Now, questions of transparency and accountability loom large, particularly over the role of the congressional office of Iloilo City Rep. Julienne “Jam-jam” Baronda. The office facilitated funding for many of these projects, which were implemented by the DPWH-Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO). Local officials have claimed that coordination with the city government was lacking.
The following photos show the current status of flood control projects in Iloilo City — stark reminders, critics say, of unfulfilled promises and mounting concerns over how public funds have been utilized.
