The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) are in the final stages of preparing a crucial report detailing irregularities in flood control projects in Cebu province. This report, expected to be submitted by January 2026, will include case referrals to the Ombudsman against individuals deemed accountable for the catastrophic flooding that claimed over 260 lives during Typhoon Tino.
Report to Pinpoint Accountability for Tragic Flooding
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon announced the timeline during a press conference on Thursday, December 18, 2025. He stated that the ICI and DPWH are preparing the report on accountability measures for Cebu, directly linking the disaster to problematic flood control infrastructure. "By January, I think the ICI and DPWH will already be ready with the report on the accountability measures for Cebu due to the problems we saw in the flood control projects there," Dizon said.
He emphasized that the report and referrals to the Ombudsman will be ready for submission at the start of the new year, signaling that more officials and contractors will face consequences. "The ICI and DPWH will be ready to submit the reports and our referrals to the Ombudsman by January… More individuals will be held accountable," Dizon added.
Inspection Triggered by Typhoon Tino's Devastation
The joint probe was launched in response to the widespread destruction caused by Typhoon Tino. The massive flooding exposed critical failures in the province's flood mitigation systems. In the aftermath, inspection teams from the DPWH and the ICI, led by retired general Rodolfo Azurin Jr., examined eight flood control projects across key areas.
The inspected sites were located in:
- Cebu City
- Mandaue City
- Talisay City
- The municipalities of Compostela
- The municipality of Liloan
These inspections formed the basis of the forthcoming report, which aims to address the anomalous flood control projects believed to have exacerbated the disaster.
Community Grapples with Aftermath as Probe Advances
The human cost of the infrastructure failures remains starkly visible in communities across Cebu. The photo caption from the recent Tropical Depression Verbena in November 2025 illustrates the ongoing vulnerability: a resident in Barangay San Rafael, Barili in southern Cebu wades through flood remnants, trying to recover belongings and clear debris after the Santa Ana River overflowed.
While Verbena caused new damage, it is the legacy of Typhoon Tino and the flawed projects that failed to protect citizens that is driving the current accountability push. The impending January report represents a significant step toward justice for the victims and a move to ensure such a tragedy, fueled by irregularities in public infrastructure, is not repeated.
