'Flooded-to-the-max' Cebu has P26.7-billion flood control projects

Several individuals died in Cebu due to the onslaught of Typhoon Tino despite billions of pesos being spent on flood control projects. 

According to Ian Cruz’s report in “24 Oras” on Wednesday, data gathered by GMA Integrated News Research from the Sumbong Sa Panguo website showed that Cebu has 414 flood control projects worth to P26.7 billion from 2022 to 2025.

Cebu comes second to Bulacan in the number of flood control projects and in contract cost, even though Cebu Province is not among the top ten flood-prone provinces based on the national adaptation plan. 

Here’s a look at the number and cost of flood control projects in the towns in Cebu Province: 

Liloan 

• Five flood control projects amounting to P398 million 
• Fatalities due to Tino: 35

Compostela 

• Three flood control projects nearly P137 million 
• Fatalities due to Tino: 15 

Cebu City 

• 47 flood control projects amounting to P1.8 billion 
• Fatalities due to Tino: 12 

Talisay City 

• 21 flood control projects amounting to P2 billion 
• Fatalities due to Tino: 7 

Danao 

• Two flood control projects amounting to P172 million 
• Fatalities due to Tino: 9 

Alegria and Ronda 

• 3 flood control projects amounting to P212 million 

Four of the top 15 contractors in the country, earlier named by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. secured 117 flood control projects in Cebu with a total value of almost P9.6 billion, according to the report. 

Among them are the Discaya’s Alpha and Omega and St. Matthew General Contractor that secured two of the expensive projects in Liloan. The QM Builders also got a hand in 13 projects in Talisay City. 

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro cannot help but express her dismay over the flood situation in the province despite the flood control projects. 

“P26 billion of flood control funds for Cebu, yet we are flooded to the max,” the governor said in a Facebook post. 

The Palace, on the other hand, said that the President has ordered a probe on the flood control projects in Cebu. 

GMA Integrated News is trying to reach out to the Department of Public Works and Highways for a comment. –Vince Angelo Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News