Of the 15 contractors named by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. with the most flood control projects in the country, two have projects in Iloilo City. 

These projects were implemented by the District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The two contractors are Saint Timothy Construction Corporation, contractor for Sections 1 and 2 of a flood mitigation structure in Lapuz District, Iloilo City. There is a similar structure, but in a yet undetermined location in the city where the contractor has handled Section 1.

The other contractor is Alpha & Omega General Contractor and Development Corporation, which is the contractor for the "Iloilo Comprehensive Flood Mitigation Project" on an undetermined location in the city. The funds for the projects reached approximately P575 million.

“Baka ghost projects yan. Non-existent. Tayo mismo hindi alam dahil hindi nag-coordinate sa atin. Flood control para mag-control ng flood. Kung hindi naman ito nag-serve, ano ang purpose nito?” said Joy Fantilaga-Gorzal, spokesperson of the mayor of Iloilo City.

Barangay officials in Lapuz District could not even pinpoint the exact location of the said project. In Barangay Lapuz Norte, the barangay chairman and a few residents believe that the flood mitigation project listed is the Budburan-Mansaya Creek.

The project was started reportedly in 2023 and left unfinished.

“Malaking perwisyo. Tuwing umuulan nang malakas, bumabaha sa amin. Mataas ang tubig. Dapat tapusin nila,” Barangay Lapuz Norte Chairman Ryan Tachado said.

A resident, James Bernard Millan, said that the money should have been spent appropriately for the project to avoid flood-related issues.

“Kung itinuloy nila at ang pera ay napunta sa tama, wala sanang problema dito,” Millan said.

GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas tried to contact the spokesperson of DPWH-Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO), but he refused to give a statement.

According to DPWH Western Visayas, they will ask for a status report from ICDEO on four projects.

“Mag-conduct din tayo ng initial na kung ano man ang assessment tungkol dito para ma-explain din kung ano ang mga issues dito. Sa part namin, transparent naman ang DPWH particularly dito sa Region 6. Kung ano man ang kailangan malaman, open naman kami mag-cooperate anytime,” Engr. Joel Limpengco, DPWH 6 director, said.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has named 15 contractors who have the most flood control projects nationwide.

“Twenty percent of the entire P545 billion budget napunta lang sa 15 na contractors. Sa 15 na contractors na yan, lima sa kanila ay may kontrata sa buong Pilipinas," the President divulged.