Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, said the flood control project in Barangay Talomo Proper, Davao City should be investigated following the flash flood on Friday night, July 24, that affected thousands of residents.

Dizon inspected the dike at the Taal Bailey Bridge in Bangkal five days after the flooding and talked to residents affected in the area who were still cleaning their homes.

“Nakakagalit talaga eh kasi nangyari na pala to 2019 although mas grabe nong Biyernes pero since 2019 walang nangyari dito hindi inaddress lalo ako nagalit sa DE natin kahit na bago siya talagang nagalit ako meron na palang pagpapataas ng dike doon na mas mataas ng dalawang metro pero naputol hindi tinuloy pero ang tanong ko bakit? hindi daw nila alam, alam mo bilyung-bilyon ang pumasok na pera dito sa DPWH,” Dizon said.

Dizon said work on completing the gabion or raising the dike will begin tomorrow.

The top official of DPWH added that dredging is not being conducted on a regular basis.

“Nalaman ko rin ngayon 10 years walang dredging dito ibig sabihin kada baba ng tubig mula sa bundok ang level ng Talomo River pataas ng pataas talagang ganon ang mangyayari kung ‘di ka magdre-dredge every year dapat nagde-dredge dito 10 years,” Dizon added.

DPWH is also planning to construct a dam or detention basin in the upland area to prevent floodwaters from rushing down to the lower parts of the city and affecting residents.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. earlier ordered a review of the city’s flood control master plan.

“Meron palang masterplan yun na 2023 for whatever reason, hindi ginawa, sa yung ibang mga project, kayat babalikan natin yung master plan para doon at matapos na para hindi na tayo makakakita ng baha na kagaya ng nakita natin,” Marcos said.

REP. DUTERTE STATEMENT

However, Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte said the JICA Davao Flood Control Master Plan was submitted to the national government in 2023 but has yet to receive funding.

Duterte said the master plan is seen as a solution to the city’s flooding problem.

Duterte said the DPWH itself should act on the issue since the master plan is already in place. He questioned what the government’s plan is moving forward.

“Naa diha ang libro sa DPWH, ayaw ibutang sa kilid ug patulga. The records will tell you everything—who prepared the projects, who approved them, who failed to fund them, and who allowed a completed master plan to gather dust while Dabawenyos continued living in danger,” Duterte said in a statement.

Dizon confirmed that a 2023 master plan for the flood control project was already available but is yet to be implemented.

He said funding for the project would be proposed under the 2027 budget, adding, that the plan still requires detailed engineering studies that would take time to complete.

“Merong 2023 master plan na nakita ako hindi pa naiimplement eh…well, popondohan natin ngayon for 2027 kasi wala tayong pondo ngayon but again plano pa lang yon eh wala pang detailed na engineering that will take time,” Dizon said.

Duterte challenged Dizon to stop the finger-pointing and, instead, identify those responsible and file charges against them.

The lawmaker emphasized that the flooding problem goes beyond dredging and requires sufficient funding, river improvements, dikes, drainage systems, watershed management, and the full implementation of a long-term master plan.

Duterte added that DPWH should first examine its own records before blaming others.

Dizon has yet to respond to the remarks.