Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

Dennis Datu

ABS-CBN News

Floodwaters in Occidental Mindoro have receded, but anger among residents and local officials in affected communities shows no sign of easing. They are questioning allegedly defective flood control projects that were supposed to protect them when the southwest monsoon or habagat brought heavy rains.Edife Mendoza broke down in tears from exhaustion as she cleaned the thick mud left by the floods inside her home in Barangay Claudio Salgado in Sablayan.“Kaya po nananwagan kami na sana tugunin naman ninyo aming panawagan dahil po kawawa naman po ang kalagayan namin dito sa hirap na po ng aming buhay granito pa ang amin kapaligrian,” Mendoza said.Barangay Claudio Salgado is located near the Amnay River, one of the largest rivers in the province.Flooding is not new to residents in the area. That is why they welcomed the construction of flood control projects along the river in 2024, believing these would finally protect them from years of flooding.But their relief was short-lived.As floodwaters surged in the river following days of heavy rain brought by the habagat, several portions of the flood control structures collapsed, allowing water to rush toward homes and farmlands.Eddie Esteves has lost much of what he planted on his three-hectare farm after mud and rocks buried his crops. He was fortunate to save his pigs.Esteves is now appealing to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to have the damaged flood control structures repaired and strengthened.“Ako ay nanawagan kay President Marcos na ipagawa niya ito ng mas matibay,” Esteves said.Two flood control structures collapsed. One sustained damage spanning nearly 100 meters, while another collapsed section stretched about 200 meters.The damage has also raised questions about how the projects were built, particularly after small steel bars were exposed from the collapsed structures.Barangay Captain Bernardo Danseco questioned whether the materials used were strong enough for a flood control project.“Ang tanong ko po ay dapat bang ikabit ang ganitong kaliit na bakal sa flood control? Tapos madalang po,” Danseco said.Residents are now blaming those behind the construction of the flood control projects for the damage and disruption caused by the flooding.“Akala namin ang flood control ay magiging proteksyon na, hindi pala at ito pa ang magbibigay ng kapahamakan sa mga tao. Paano na ang buhay ng tao? Aantayin pa ba natin na mayroon mamatay bago tayo matauhan? Kaya doon sa gumagawa ng flood control, isipin din ang kapakanan ng barangay,” Danseco said.Esteves also had a message for those allegedly involved in corruption.“Sa mga nangurakot, masaya lang kayo ngayon pero baka darating ang araw, balikan din kayo ng kalikasan,” he said.Occidental Mindoro Governor Eduardo Gadiano also said the flooding could have been less severe if the flood control structures had been properly built.“Maiiksi yung pilote ng mga bakal pero kung nailagay nila yung tamang specifications o program of work ng flood control, mas matibay na maprotekahan ang mga bukid at bahayan,” Gadiano said.Residents and barangay officials are appealing to Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon to visit the damaged flood control projects, assess their condition, and investigate the construction to determine who should be held accountable.In the meantime, the DPWH District Engineering Office will temporarily use soil and rocks to reinforce the damaged sections and prevent river water from spilling into nearby communities.

Floodwaters in Occidental Mindoro have receded, but anger among residents and local officials in affected communities shows no sign of easing.

Floodwaters in Occidental Mindoro have receded, but anger among residents and local officials in affected communities shows no sign of easing.

Residents demand answers over failed flood control projects in Occidental Mindoro

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Residents demand answers over failed flood control projects in Occidental Mindoro

Dennis Datu,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 21, 2026 12:47 AM PHT

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Updated August 21, 2026 01:02 AM PHT

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Occidental Mindoro

flood control

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