Residents of Barangay Bacayao Norte in Dagupan City said flooding remains a problem in their community despite the P106-million riverbank protection project completed in 2023.

The project was built to protect flood-prone areas along the river, but heavy rains and storms still caused flooding last month when typhoons and the southwest monsoon hit.

Barangay Secretary Arnold Callanta said the coverage of the project may have led to confusion over the total cost.

“The start ng project is nagsimula sa Herrero Perez hanggang Bacayao Norte. Kaya siguro yung amount ng P106 million issue ay hindi na-include yung Herrero Perez,” he said.

Residents also pointed out cracks in parts of the dike and broken or missing floodgates in culvert pipes connected to the project. They said these allow water from the river to flow into the barangay during high tide or storms.

Callanta added that floodwaters also come from another part of the community.

“Pero kung titignan naman natin yung kabuuan ng project, yung na-dike is main river. Pero yung Tuliao River is hindi. So pag umuulan, dito naman pumapasok sa kabila sa Tuliao River,” he said.

Despite the issues, some locals said the flood control project has been a big help in reducing the risks they faced before.

“Kasi po pag itong dike po, nakatulong po siya ng malaki po kasi hindi po siya nakalabas yung bangus namin saka hindi po kami napapasukan dito,” Girlie Menendez, a resident, said.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 1 has yet to comment as of press time.