ILOILO City – Flood control projects in Lapuz district are drawing sharp criticism from city government and barangay officials over delays, design flaws, and lack of consultation, with fears that the works may even worsen flooding instead of easing it.
During an ocular inspection on Friday, Aug. 21, the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps joined the Office of the Building Official, City Engineer’s Office, and barangay officials to check the status of ongoing projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways – Iloilo City District Engineering Office (DPWH-ICDEO).
Among those flagged was the embankment and access road along Budburan Creek in Lapuz Norte, left unfinished after construction stopped in 2022 due to informal settlers.
“As we went around, we saw so many mistakes. They did not coordinate with the local government unit or even with our barangay captains,” Councilor Johnny Young said.
He added: “One creek, which should have been preserved as a waterway, was instead turned into a roadway. And yet, parts of it were never completed — you can even see a repair shop standing where the road should have been.”
Punong Barangay Elfren Cenayo of Don Esteban village, speaking for Lapuz barangay captains, confirmed that the DPWH-ICDEO never sought their input before construction began.
“We were not informed of these plans, and yet our communities are directly affected,” Cenayo said. “As barangay officials, we could not even explain to our residents what was happening because we were left in the dark.”
The drainage line being laid from Jalandoni Estate to Divinagracia in La Paz has also raised questions, with stakeholders noting that roads were built where waterways should have been, casting doubts on the planning process and environmental compliance.
With flooding continuing to plague parts of the city, officials underscored the importance of transparency and community involvement in all infrastructure works.
“The money spent on these projects is the people’s money,” Young stressed. “We have to make sure that every peso is spent right, and that the projects truly benefit our communities.”
If science-based studies confirm that flood control projects in this city worsened flooding, these should be dismantled, according to Mayor Raisa Treñas.
She urged the DPWH, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the academic community to conduct an objective and evidence-driven evaluation.
Treñas added: “Kun mapamatud-an nga amo ini ang nagadala sang pagbaha, I am calling on the national government to demolish these unstudied projects.”
Late last week, engineers from DPWH central office descended on Iloilo City to conduct an in-depth investigation into flagged flood control projects, a move seen as a direct response to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s recent public rebuke of the works.
The Quality Assurance Unit (QAU) team began inspections on 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.
Treñas met with the investigators.
“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./PN
