ILOILO City – Engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) central office have descended on Iloilo City to conduct an in-depth investigation into flood control projects flagged as “delayed” and/or “substandard”, a move seen as a direct response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent public rebuke of the works.
The Quality Assurance Unit (QAU) team began inspections on Friday, Aug. 15, to pinpoint project locations, assess construction quality, and determine whether the structures are mitigating or worsening flooding — particularly in the wake of three recent typhoons.
Mayor Raisa Treñas, who met with the investigators, vowed full cooperation.
“We are ready to provide all necessary documents and information because public money matters, and the people’s money must be used properly. Again, our commitment to transparency, accountability, and clean public service for the Ilonggos remains firm,” she said.
After make an ocular inspection here on Aug. 13, Marcos posted on Facebook: “Sa aking pagbisita sa Iloilo, nakita natin ang mga delayed at palpak na flood control projects na lalo pang nagpapalala ng pagbaha.”
He added: “Inatasan ko ang DPWH na panagutin at i-blacklist ang mga palpak na contractors.”
Treñas dismissed claims from Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO) that the probe was politically motivated, stressing that the President himself had raised concerns.
“The President was the one who issued the statement that these projects were delayed and substandard. We have long been requesting proper coordination before the start of any project because the LGU (local government unit) knows the problems in our communities best. At the end of the day, it is the city government that has to face the people when flooding occurs,” she said.
The mayor cited complaints from barangay officials in parts of Jaro distrtict where floodwaters reportedly reached chest level after ICDEO carried out creek works.
If technical studies confirm that the projects worsened flooding, she said demolition might be the only option.
Alongside the DPWH probe, the Iloilo City Planning and Development Office is conducting its own study with University of the Philippines Diliman experts to lay the groundwork for a Comprehensive Drainage Plan.
ICDEO chief Engr. Roy Pacanan, however, maintained that the projects are moving forward.
“The project is already at 76% completion. There are no ghost projects, and if there are delays, we are finding ways to address them,” he said after recent site checks in barangays Tacas and San Isidro, Jaro.
He said Section 1 of the project is slated for completion this month and Section 2 by September, noting that delays in Section 10 in Barangay Tabuc Suba were due to informal settlers and outdated subdivision drainage that had to be addressed first.
The investigation comes amid mounting calls from the city government to remove ineffective flood control structures, including those in Mohon and Tagbak, as part of a broader push to ensure that taxpayer-funded infrastructure delivers real solutions rather than compounding the city’s flooding woes.
ICDEO has insisted that all flood control projects funded by the national government and awarded through competitive bidding to two of the country’s top 15 construction firms in terms of flood control projects are existing and currently under construction,.
St. Timothy Construction Corporation secured three flood control projects:
* Construction of Flood Mitigation Structure in Lapuz, Iloilo City, Section 1
• Project Cost: ₱141,855,006.72
• Status: Ongoing, with 98.83% accomplishment
* Construction of Flood Mitigation Structure in Lapuz, Iloilo City, Section 2
• Project Cost: ₱141,799,122.88
• Status: Ongoing, with 95.82% accomplishment
* Construction of Flood Mitigation Structure – Waterways Rehabilitation and Coastal Protection, Section 1, Iloilo City
• Project Cost: ₱119,418,737.94
• Status: Suspended at 51.47% completion due to obstruction by an existing power barge.
Meanwhile, Alpha & Omega General Contractor & Development Corporation was awarded one project: construction of Flood Mitigation Structures in Iloilo City (Comprehensive Flood Mitigation Project – Section 2).
The P144,703,111.61 worth of project is ongoing at 35% completion as of July 31, 2025. Progress slowed due to insufficient sheet pile deliveries and adverse weather conditions, explained the ICDEO./PN
