Daven Tamayo

DPWH to probe Monterrazas, Cebu flood control projects from 2016

Article (news)

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

The Department of Public Works and Highways has started an investigation on flood control projects in Cebu from 2016 to 2025 following this week’s devastating floods that has killed <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/7/typhoon-tino-s-death-toll-rises-to-188-950" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">nearly 200</a> people.“Iniimbestigahan na ho natin kasama ng [Independent Commission on Infrastructure] ang mga proyekto na ginawa d’yan simula 2016 hanggang 2024-2025,” DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said in a DZMM interview.The Department of Environment and Natural Resources could also initiate an investigation on The Rise at Monterrazas amid rumors that the mountainside residential project  exacerbated floods in Cebu City.&quot;Alam ko, pinag-aaralan na ngayon &#x27;yan. Simple lang naman &#x27;yan, kapag ang isang proyekto ay nakakasama sa kalikasan lalong-lalo na sa waterways o dun sa watershed na pumoprotekta sa ating waterways e kailangan talaga dapat &#x27;yan bago ipinapatayo e dapat nakakakuha &#x27;yan ng tamang permiso sa DENR at Environmental Management Bureau,&quot; he said.Dizon blamed wrong planning and wrong execution for the failure of the province’s flood control systems, saying the measures should account for record rainfalland floods that occur once every 20 years.This, after weather bureau PAGASA said Typhoon Tino&#x27;s <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2025/11/6/tino-s-extreme-rainfall-caused-cebu-flooding-pagasa-1443" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">extreme rainfall</a> caused massive flash floods that swelled rivers and rampaged streets and subdivisions in the cities of Danao, Cebu, Mandaue, and Talisay and the towns of Liloan, Compostela, and Consolacion.“Klaro na hindi naging epektibo kung anuman ang ginawa nilang flood control project sa Cebu nitong nakaraang 10 taon. Malaki ang pagkukulang ng mga ginawang proyekto. Tingin ko dahil na rin ‘yun sa maling pagpaplano at maling pag-execute ang pag-implement ng mga proyekto,&quot; Dizon said.“Hindi excuse ‘yun. Kapag pinaplano itong mga flood mitigation projects, kailangan kino-consider ‘yan hindi lang ‘yung normal na pag-ulan at pagbaha kundi pati ‘yung grabeng pag-ulan at grabeng mga bagyo.”“Pinagkakitaan itong mga proyektong ito.”Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro earlier claimed that despite over P26-billion in flood control funding for Cebu, nearly all flood control projects since 2019 in Visayas’ richest province were either <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/11/5/cebu-flood-control-projects-are-either-ghost-or-substandard-governor-1051" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">non-existent or substandard</a>.The governor said there were 343 flood control projects in Cebu from 2016 to 2022, during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, while there were only 168 anti-flood programs in the province from 2023 to 2025 under the current administration.The Cebu government&#x27;s investigation also found that some contractors used licenses of other firms to construct the flood control infrastructure, said Baricuatro.<div> </div><div>DENR TO CONDUCT INSPECTIONS</div><div> </div>Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) assured an impartial review of the Monterrazas de Cebu Project.The Department today convened a multistakeholder Joint Inspection, Investigation, and Assessment Team of technical experts from the DENR Region 7, Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-7), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-7), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Cebu, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Cebu City, the Cebu City Government, and Barangay Guadalupe,&quot; said the DENR in a statement issued on Friday.The team will conduct a comprehensive on-site investigation starting November 7.Among the things to be determined on site are:•The project’s compliance with the conditions of its ECC and other environmental regulations•The effectiveness of its drainage, slope protection, and runoff management systems•The stability of slopes and potential risks of landslides and flooding•Possible alterations to the natural landform and proximity to timberland areas•Evidence of erosion, siltation, or obstructions in nearby tributaries and waterways<div> </div>The DENR also directed the project proponent to adhere to its obligation to report its Engineering, Geological, and Geohazard Assessment.&quot;If the investigation finds any violation of ECC conditions or environmental regulations, the DENR will not hesitate to enforce corrective actions, including suspension, penalties, or other legal remedies as provided by law,&quot; said the agency.

The Department of Public Works and Highways has started an investigation on flood control projects in Cebu from 2016 to 2025 following this week’s devastating floods that killed <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/7/typhoon-tino-s-death-toll-rises-to-188-950">nearly 200</a> people.

The Department of Public Works and Highways has started an investigation on flood control projects in Cebu from 2016 to 2025 following this week’s devastating floods that killed nearly 200 people.