The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 6 and the contractor of a P95.5-million seawall in Barangay Funda-Dalipe, San Jose, Antique are ordered to stop the project temporarily.

The presiding judge of Branch 11 of the Regional Trial Court in San Jose, Antique issued the  order.

According to the order issued on December 12, 2025, a temporary environmental protection order needs to be issued. Should the project continue, it is seen to possibly cause irreparable damage to coastlines, seawaters, and fishermen.

Funda-Dalipe Fisherfolk Association filed the petition on December 10, 2025. The association is an environmental, non-government organization.

Aside from the temporary environmental protection order, the association petitioned for a writ of continuing mandamus, nullification of the project, and recovery of misused public funds or restitution.

The 520-meter project that is marked 57-percent completed is deemed detrimental to coral reefs and nesting grounds of “pawikan” (sea turtles).

“Initial na panalo siyempre kasi as the term implies, temporary (writ of) continuing mandamus. To direct the agencies concerned to initiate among others rehabilitation ng lugar,” Atty. Abdiel Fajardo, legal counsel of Funda-Dalipe Fisherfolk Association, said.

The defendants of the petition - Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Jose, Antique; regional offices of the DPWH, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Environmental Management Bureau, and the contractor of the project, J.E. Tico Construction Co., Inc. - are accused of negligence and inattention to the request of the association, and violation to environmental laws such as the Water Code and Wildlife Act.

The defendants are ordered to make a reply to the order within 10 days, which will become a basis on the need for a hearing.

“Pwede na ang court direkta na lang na mag-require sa partidos (parties) na mag-file ng written memorandum. Afterwards, they can decide the case on the basis of written submissions lang,” Fajardo added.

GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas went to the DPWH 6 office but no one is available for interview, unless there is approval from the Central Office.

Neither is there an official from DENR 6 and EMB 6 who is available for interview.

The message sent by the news team to LGU San Jose, Antique has remained unanswered, as of this writing.

The news team has tried to seek a statement from the project contractor and is awaiting a reply.