In the wake of Typhoon Tino's destructive path through Cebu, questions are mounting about the effectiveness of the province's flood control infrastructure despite massive government spending.
Massive Spending, Minimal Protection
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) allocated P26 billion for flood control projects in Cebu between 2022 and 2025. However, these projects failed to prevent widespread flooding that claimed hundreds of lives during the recent typhoon.
Residents and officials alike are demanding answers about why such substantial investment provided so little protection. The projects appeared to be implemented in a fragmented manner without following a comprehensive strategy.
Long-Delayed Master Plan Revealed
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon recently disclosed that Cebu actually completed a flood control master plan back in 2017, based on a 2013 study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
This comprehensive plan aimed to address flooding at its source in the mountains and follow water flow all the way to lower areas. Despite being ready for eight years, the master plan was never implemented.
Secretary Dizon has now committed to finally executing this long-delayed plan, involving multiple agencies including the National Irrigation Administration and Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Integrated Water Management Approach
The master plan adopts an integrated water resources management strategy that goes beyond simple flood control. This comprehensive approach includes:
- Watershed protection in mountain areas
- Water impounding to capture and store water upstream
- Multiple use of captured water for irrigation and drinking
Water impounding represents a crucial component of this strategy. By holding water in mountain areas rather than letting it rush downstream, the system can both prevent flooding and create valuable water resources for farmers and communities.
The delayed implementation of this master plan raises serious questions about disaster preparedness in Cebu, especially given Benjamin Franklin's famous warning that failure to prepare means preparing to fail.
