The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has initiated a full-scale investigation into all Cebu flood control projects built between 2016 and 2025, following this week’s catastrophic floods that have claimed nearly 200 lives.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the massive failure of the flood control system was due to “wrong planning and wrong execution” over the past decade. He said projects should have been designed to withstand severe, once-in-20-year extreme rainfall events.
Dizon called the situation “inexcusable” and bluntly suggested the possibility of corruption, saying, “pinagkakitaan itong mga proyektong ito (these projects reek of profiteering).”
The Public works chief said the probe, to be conducted with the Independent Commission on Infrastructure, will cover all projects from 2016 onward.
Dizon also disclosed that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) may investigate The Rise at Monterrazas, a mountainside residential development in Cebu City, amid concerns it may have worsened flooding in nearby communities.
“I know, that is being studied now,” Dizon said in Filipino, adding “When a project is harmful to the environment, especially waterways or watersheds, it must have the proper permits from the DENR and the Environmental Management Bureau before it is built.”
Both the DPWH and the Cebu provincial government vowed to hold all accountable officials and contractors, who are found responsible for irregularities that contributed to the devastating impact of Typhoon Tino across cities like Cebu, Mandaue, and Talisay, and several municipalities.
