A Cebu City resident is demanding immediate action from the Department of Public Works and Highways to complete a delayed flood control project that allegedly worsened flooding during Typhoon Tino's devastating impact on November 4, 2025.
Resident's Frustration Over Stalled Project
Mary Joy Bagares, who lives beside Kamputhaw River in Barangay Tinago, expressed her frustration about the stalled riprap construction along Bonifacio Street. The project began around February 2025 after residents voluntarily cleared portions of their property and received compensation through the DPWH's right-of-way acquisition process.
Bagares reported seeing only two to four workers on site some days, with minimal visible progress since construction began. She first voiced her concerns through a Facebook post on Tuesday, November 11, highlighting the lack of substantial development.
Typhoon Tino's Devastating Impact
The urgency of completing the flood control project became critically apparent when Typhoon Tino struck Cebu City on November 4. The flooding reached chest level in Bagares' home, representing the worst flooding her family has ever experienced.
'Before, it only went up to our knees. This time, when we returned home, most of our belongings were soaked and damaged,' Bagares recalled. The typhoon's impact was severe citywide, causing 33 fatalities and displacing thousands of residents throughout Cebu City.
Project Delays and Previous Efforts
The DPWH cited a single tree requiring a cutting permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as the reason for the project's delay. This explanation has done little to reassure affected residents who have endured multiple flooding incidents.
Before the riprap project began, a drainage improvement had been completed in the area which initially helped reduce flooding. However, Bagares noted that poor maintenance rendered the drainage system ineffective over time.
Residents had previously raised concerns with Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairperson of the Committee on Disaster Response, following a flooding incident in August 2025. DPWH had instructed residents to build concrete fences adjacent to the creek for protection, but these measures proved inadequate as floodwaters still seeped through during Typhoon Tino.
Bagares emphasized that the project shouldn't be abandoned but urgently expedited, stating 'We just hope the government acts faster. This project shouldn't be stopped, but it should be expedited because our area is flood-prone.'
She called on fellow taxpayers to demand transparency and accountability in government-funded infrastructure projects, asserting that citizens have the right to question how public funds are utilized and should expect urgency from their leaders in addressing critical infrastructure needs.
