A collapsed dike along the Subaan River. Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- More flood control projects built by the DPWH Mimaropa regional office have collapsed, sparking suspicions that they were constructed with substandard materials.

In Barangay Bigaan, San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro, residents pointed to the river dike along the Subaan River, where more than 100 meters of its structure gave way.

Fears have grown that the collapse could worsen as more sections of the dike continue to fall apart as of Wednesday morning.

In total, nearly 600 meters of the dike were destroyed, covering portions built under Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 of the project.

Portions of the dike crumbled almost simultaneously on July 23, 2025, when strong river currents surged during the southwest monsoon.

READ: Oriental Mindoro gov shows collapsed dike to DPWH director

Ernesto Rodabia, a resident living near the river, recalled how the dike was constructed.

“Ito may bakal na kaunti, pagdating doon wala na bakal. Sabi ng DPWH huwag nang bakalan at sa plano daw walang bakal, wala daw sa plano para makatipid. Tingnan mo hindi pa nakatagal nasira na. 'Yung sheet pile noon maliit lang na ibinaon na ganoon kaya ang daling matabag,” Rodabia said.

Barangay Bigaan Chairman Sonny Ilagan also confirmed that cracks had appeared in the dike long before its first collapse last year.

“Inireport po namin sa DPWH ngayon po ang sabi sa amin ifoforward nila sa region, makailang weeks po dumating po ang mga taga-DPWH. Nagsukat po sila nang nagsukat. Tiningnan nila ang mga cracked [tapos] umalis na sila. Sabi po nila ipa-follow up na lang po nila,” Ilagan said.

Based on Sumbong sa Pangulo website, Phases 1 and 2 of the river protection dike cost ₱144 million each and were completed in 2023, while Phase 3, worth ₱96 million, was finished earlier in 2022.

READ: Oriental Mindoro governor asks how 'substandard' flood control projects passed audit, inspection

Although all three dikes were built along the same river, they were handled by different contractors.

San Teodoro municipal engineer Engr. Philip Garcia disclosed that DPWH Mimaropa never coordinated with their office during construction.

“Sa nakita ko walang mga bakal itong dike. Kung mayroon man ay kakaunti, pero hindi ko alam kung ano nasa design talaga dahil hindi naman ipinakita sa amin,” Garcia said.

Councilor Kim Aspecto, chairman of the committee on public works and infrastructure of the Sangguniang Bayan, also expressed doubts about the project.

“Sa isang tingin po namin ay hindi siya angkop sa lugar at saka sa volume at current ng tubig na dumadaloy po dito. Siguro mas magiging matibay po ito kung mas malaki yung bakal, mas malimit yung bakal,” Aspecto said.

With the collapse of the dike, residents of San Teodoro now fear their community could once again be submerged in floods.

Local officials now want the dikes along the Subaan River investigated to determine if they were built according to the proper design.