ILOILO City – Lone District Rep. Julienne “Jam-jam” Baronda has contradicted President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who personally inspected flood control projects in Iloilo City and flagged them as delayed and palpak.
One of the sites the President visited in Jaro district was facilitated by Baronda’s office and implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO).
The presidential remarks, however, were dismissed as “baseless,” with Baronda citing politics as behind the criticisms — a response that critics argue fails to address the core issues.
Concerns over alleged ghost projects, reports of defective structures, and non-functioning flood controls are not unique to Iloilo City. These problems form part of a broader national scandal that has sparked calls for independent investigations and congressional hearings.
Aside from the flood control controversies, Baronda is also facing criticisms over other projects such as incomplete multipurpose buildings, gym and barangay halls; school buildings that some critics allege are unsafe or unusable despite being completed; and others that are reportedly missing or unaccounted for.
Baronda’s statement came only after public clamor for transparency and accountability intensified, with critics describing her response as delayed, and Ilonggos demanding clear answers on the controversial multibillion-peso flood projects.
The projects, implemented by the DPWH–ICDEO, were intended to address the city’s long-standing flooding woes.
Instead, residents and local officials express concern that the projects may not be solving the flooding problem and in some areas may even be aggravating it, citing delayed completion and alleged poor workmanship, and questioning if there is scientific basis in their implementation.
Several of these projects were undertaken by construction firms owned by the Discaya family, which were among those earlier flagged by President Marcos Jr. for irregularities. These companies have since been stripped of licenses by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB).
Mayor Raisa S. Treñas, an advocate of Mayors for Good Governance, has called on Baronda and the DPWH Regional Office VI to release a complete list of all projects implemented in Iloilo City from 2019 up to the present.
Even the President himself, she noted, has pointed out that the projects in Iloilo are either excessively delayed or “palpak.”
“Congresswoman Julienne Baronda is once again trying to divert the issue. The clear concern of the Ilonggos today is the status of her projects – uncompleted, unusable, built along waterways, and in some cases alleged to be ‘ghost projects,’” Treñas said.
“These are not mere accusations; these are now under investigation by the Senate and the House of Representatives, and confirmed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. himself when he visited Iloilo City,” she added.
Treñas contrasted Baronda’s projects with those initiated under the administration of her father, former mayor Jerry P. Treñas.
“Let me emphasize that all projects initiated during the administration of my father, Jerry P. Treñas, are in use and continue to benefit communities. The demand of the people now is simple – account for the billions of pesos poured into projects during your term as congresswoman,” she said.
The mayor also underscored the city government’s track record of transparency.
“As to her challenge, the records of the City Government under my father’s leadership have always been open, transparent, and audited by the Commission on Audit – unmodified audit observation for the first time in the history of Iloilo City. These are public documents accessible to all,” she stressed.
Treñas concluded by challenging Baronda to address the core issue directly.
“Instead of rewriting history and pointing fingers, Congresswoman Baronda should answer a straightforward question: Diin na ang matuod-tuod nga benepisyo nga gindala sang imo mga proyekto para sa Iloilo City? The Ilonggos deserve clarity, not excuses.”
Sad Reality on the Ground
Last week, Treñas, joined by Oton, Iloilo’s Mayor Sofronio Fusin, the City Engineer’s Office, Office of the Building Official, City ENRO and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), inspected unfinished flood control sites in barangays Mohon and Sto. Domingo in Arevalo after residents pointed to the projects as possible culprits behind recurring floods in Oton and parts of Iloilo City.
Records show that three separate flood mitigation projects in Arevalo District — worth a combined ₱353 million — were awarded to St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corp. (₱90.9 million), YPR Gen. Contractor and Construction Supply Inc. (₱143.3 million), and Mathew Gen. Contractor and Development Corp. (₱119.4 million), all firms which, according to critics, have links to the Discaya group.
Missing start dates and completion targets in official transparency reports have further deepened questions about oversight.
On Sept. 4, Mayor Treñas, along with city councilors, concerned City Hall offices, and the DENR, inspected the flood control project along Buntatala Creek in Barangay Lanit, Jaro.
City and DENR inspectors noted that some structures encroached on creeks, which they said could narrow waterways and contribute to flooding.
“Ini tanan proyekto sang ICDEO kag ni Cong. Jam-jam Baronda, nga wala gid coordination sa city government, sa barangay, kag public consultation. May kabuhi na nga nadula, pangabuhian nga naapektuhan, panimalay nga naguba — gani ginapanawagan naton ang hustisya para sa mga pumuluyo sang syudad,” Treñas lamented.
Where Is the Over ₱1-B Flood Control Projects?
In an October 2022 report by the Daily Guardian, Baronda claimed she had secured ₱1 billion under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for Iloilo City’s flood mitigation program, part of the ₱6.2-billion Comprehensive Drainage Plan.
Despite this, and with ₱1.4 billion reportedly already allocated, Mayor Treñas said their ocular inspections showed “little to no impact” in flood-prone communities.
“Almost three years later, the question remains: diin na ang plano, kag diin na ang proyekto?” Treñas asked.
She further pointed out that even the project’s official transparency reports lacked basic details such as contract ID, start date, and target completion date — data which observers say are crucial for public monitoring and accountability.
With DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon suspending all local project biddings upon the directive of the President to clean up the agency, Mayor Treñas stressed the urgency of clarity for Iloilo City.
“I am formally calling on DPWH to immediately present a full and transparent report of all flood control projects in Iloilo City — detailing exact locations, timelines, budget allocations, and actual progress. Ang ginahambal nga bilyones nga pondo indi dapat istorya lang, dapat makita sa aktwal nga solusyon batok sa baha,” she said.
Meanwhile, after the contractors implementing several flood control projects in Iloilo City were stripped of their licenses, questions have arisen about the fate of these projects.
Many are asking if these firms can still be allowed to continue works despite losing their accreditation, and what safeguards are in place to ensure accountability in their implementation.
Massive Calls for Transparency, Accountability
The city barangays through their respective Association of Barangay Captains (ABCs), youth leaders, business organizations and various sectors have since joined calls for accountability and transparency.
The Iloilo Economic Development Foundation Inc. (ILEDF) expressed full support for the Iloilo City Government’s push for the timely and proper completion of flood control projects. It commended the city’s cooperation with the ongoing national review and its call for the DPWH to secure permits, coordinate with local authorities, and ensure projects are well-planned, compliant, and beneficial to the public.
“ILEDF further advocates for measures that will institutionalize transparency and accountability at every stage of infrastructure development. These include full public disclosure of project details, robust coordination between agencies, and rigorous compliance monitoring — consistent with national procurement and infrastructure policies. Such reforms will help ensure that public resources are used effectively to safeguard lives and property, reduce disaster risks, and protect livelihoods,” read part of ILEDF’s statement penned by its Chairman, Engr. Terence S. Uygongco and President, Roel Z. Castro.
Aside from ILEDF, also joining the calls are the Iloilo Hotel Resorts and Restaurants Association (IHRRA); Iloilo Business Club; Philippine Chamber of Commerce Inc. – Iloilo; Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII)-Iloilo; Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers; and United Architects of the Philippines-Iloilo Bahandi Chapter.
Ordinary Ilonggos in Iloilo City likewise demand transparency, stressing that Baronda owes her constituents an explanation.
“Since her office facilitated these flood control projects, it’s only right that she clarifies where the problem lies,” said a Jaro resident. “People deserve answers. These projects were meant to solve the flooding problem, not make residents wonder where the money went.”
Questions have also been raised over the selection of contractors and the prioritization of sites, with speculation further intensified following the courtesy resignation of ICDEO District Engineer Engr. Roy Pacanan.
Observers caution that unless the lawmaker directly addresses the flood control controversies, public trust could further erode — and Iloilo City’s flood problems may persist despite the billions already poured into the program./PN
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WHERE’S THE TRANSPARENCY? WHO IS ACCOUNTABLE? Official reports on Iloilo City’s flood control projects lack crucial details such as exact locations, start dates, and completion targets. During his recent visit, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. himself saw the delays and failures that residents say have worsened flooding.
