Thick weeds and mud are apparent in Aganan and Tigum Rivers in Pavia town, Province of Iloilo that obstruct waterflow.

Over P49 million in repair works of slope protection structures and clearing of the said waterways started in May 2024, but have remained unfinished to date.

The repair works eyed a completion target date of December 2024, but have been delayed for about seven months.

“Yung liquidated damages ng everyday of delay. [Magkano lahat yan sir?] 1/10 percent of unfinished work or everyday of delay. Rest assured that the amount of corresponding delay will be charged to the contractor,” said Engr. Mario Soriano, district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways - 4^th Iloilo District Engineering Office (DPWH-IDEO). 

According to residents in Barangay Tigum, Pavia who live in the vicinity of the dike, soil was delivered last year but was already covered by weeds when the project has taken a halt.

“Ipinangako nila na babalikan nila ngunit until now wala. Almost one year and four months na,” Marianita Suernaba, a resident, said.

Another resident, Moroy Hudieras, complains that when the water rises, soil erodes.

“Yan ang reklamo, hindi nagawa. Pagtaas ng tubig, nag-e-erode ang lupa. Dati bumaha, umapaw dito,” Hudieras said.

The barangay chairman of Tigum has called on DPWH to finish their project in his area of responsibility.

“Unti-unti nitong sisirain (ang pampang) kung hindi pa matatapos. Kailangang matapos na,” Tigum Barangay Chairman Ferdinand Guillem said.

According to DPWH, the project has been pursued based on their communication with the contractor. However, when GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas checked the project site, no one was working in the area.

Further, the news team is awaiting a statement from 1 Beatus Builders Corporation, the contractor of the delayed project.

In addition, residents of Barangay Ungka 1 in Pavia appealed for a clearing operation in a floodway in their location, seen as the reason for massive flooding.

“Para lumuwag yung tubig. Maraming damo-damo ang tumubo sa gilid,” Joel Glimer, a resident, said.

“Yan ang number one na makakaharang sa baha, kaso kung minsan may mga troso na pumapasok diyan. Hindi maka-flow nang maayos ang tubig,” alias “Mae,” also a resident, said.

Based on information via “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website, three of the projects on rehabilitation of flood control structures were completed in 2023. But according to DPWH - 4th IDEO, it has no information on the two projects worth over P47 million.